Hesse introduces solar roofs on parking lots

According to the Dpa, the Ministry of Energy in Hessen considers around 100 new large parking lots with photovoltaic canopies per year in the state to be feasible. The background is an amendment to the state energy law from the end of 2022, according to which new parking areas with more than 50 parking spaces must have this type of power generation above the vehicles.

Positive side effect for those parking: shade even in the hot midsummer. 

"Approximately 200 new parking lots with more than 50 spaces each are created per year in Hessen," according to an estimate by Hessian Energy Minister Kaweh Mansoori (SPD) in response to a query from the FDP state parliamentary opposition.

If on average there are 100 parking spaces each and half of them do not require photovoltaics due to exemptions, with an average system size of 150 kilowatts (kW), the annual increase would be about 15,000 kW. 

How much electricity yield?

According to the projection, by 2030, such parking lot solar roofs could ultimately yield a total annual electricity output of approximately 90,000 megawatt hours (MWh) in the state. This corresponds to about one-third of the electricity output currently generated annually by all hydroelectric power plants in Hesse, explained the minister, who is also the deputy head of government. Germany's energy supply is to be restructured in the fight against climate change: away from fossil fuels, towards renewable energies and greater energy efficiency.