Greenvolt Next has signed an agreement with Carrefour Property to install around 45,000 photovoltaic panels across parking lots at 120 Carrefour locations in France. The project will have an installed capacity of approximately 25 MWp and will be developed under a 20-year partnership, which includes financing, construction and maintenance of the facilities, the company announced in a press release.
According to the same source, the agreement stems from a national tender launched by Carrefour Property and provides for the installation of photovoltaic canopies adapted to the characteristics of each site, taking into account factors such as the configuration of the parking lots, customer flow, and connection to the power grid. The electricity produced will be allocated to meet part of the energy needs of the stores covered.
The partnership will be realized through a Power Purchase Agreement (Power Purchase Agreement — PPA), under which Greenvolt Next will oversee all phases of the project, from the initial studies to the operation of the facilities. The model will allow Carrefour to strengthen on-site renewable electricity production and reduce exposure to energy price volatility.
“This partnership with Carrefour Property reflects the strength of Greenvolt Next’s pan-European platform,” says João Manso Neto, CEO of the Greenvolt Group. The executive adds that the experience gained in similar projects with major retail operators enables the company to tailor solutions to the needs of each market.
On the other hand, Evan Linker, Carrefour’s Global Energy Director, believes that the agreement will accelerate the integration of photovoltaic production into the group’s real estate portfolio in France. “Beyond the environmental impact, this partnership provides long-term financial predictability, helping us shield ourselves from electricity price volatility,” he says.
Gino Gauthier, CEO of Greenvolt Next’s Distributed Generation business, highlights the integrated model of the project, which brings together financing, development, construction and long-term operation. According to the executive, this approach allows supporting Carrefour’s energy transition through solutions that he considers technically robust and economically efficient.
