In November 2022, the French Senate passed a proposal requiring all parking lots in the country with space for more than 80 cars to be equipped with solar panels. The aim is to strengthen France’s energy security and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
The government is also considering a proposal to build solar farms along highways and railway lines. The state railway company SNCF, France’s largest landowner, plans, among other things, to install solar panels on an area equivalent to around 1.1 million square meters by 2030.
The new French requirements This is good news for Swedish startup Smartports. The company, founded in Örebro in spring 2023, develops and builds parking solutions that combine carports with solar cells and charging electric cars. Smartports has raised capital in two investment rounds and is now valued at SEK 200 million.
In 2024, the company had sales of just over SEK 3.3 million and made a profit of SEK 27,000.
“The idea came about during a run when I saw a large solar farm in the countryside and thought about why we don’t put solar cells where the energy is actually needed,” says Julian Lundberg, CEO and founder.
Smartport’s business model is based on the company renting parking spaces and investing in solar cells, batteries and chargers. Revenue comes from electricity production, vehicle charging and support services to balance the power grid.
– Our vision is to change the way people view mobility. A parking lot should not just be a place to park your car, but an energy hub that provides free mobility to everyone, regardless of where in the world you live. Smartports is based on this, says Julian Lundberg.
To date, Smartports has signed contracts with almost 130 customers, most of which are Swedes. The company has also signed 20 contracts in France. Customers range from municipalities to companies in the hotel and catering industry. In addition, Smartports has signed an agreement with SNCF Gares & Connexions, a subsidiary of rail giant SNCF, for a pilot solar energy, battery storage and electric car charging facility at a train station outside Paris.
– If we have done this well, we will also be involved in the next project. At the same time, we have several projects going on in Sweden. “The goal for this year is to quadruple our portfolio,” says Julian Lundberg.
France, on the other hand, does This is not just about introducing parking regulations. In South Korea, all large parking lots have been equipped with solar panels since November last year. Slovenia introduced similar laws in 2023 and other countries have already introduced or are preparing similar rules. At EU level, requirements for solar cells in large car parks will be introduced as early as next year.
The market is huge, says Julian Lundberg. In Sweden alone there are an estimated 8-9 million parking spaces, in France 60-65 million and worldwide the number is estimated at 17 billion. The more countries introduce requirements for more efficient energy use, the greater the potential becomes.
– If we can capture 2-3 percent of the market in the next five years, it will be a great success, says Julian Lundberg.
Facts.This is how French parking lots become power plants
● From July 1st this year, all French car parks with an area of more than 10,000 square meters must be equipped with solar panels. Smaller parking spaces between 1,500 and 10,000 square meters still have a term of two years.
● The investment is expected to create 11 gigawatts of new electricity capacity. For comparison: the Ringhals nuclear power plant generates a net electrical output of around 2.2 gigawatts.
Read more about mobility and the green transformation of the transport sector at di.se/mobilitet
