Penny Opens Largest Public Solar Parking Lot in Czech Republic
Penny has inaugurated the country's largest public solar parking lot at its store in Počátky na Vysočín. The facility offers 70 covered parking spaces, ensuring the store's energy self-sufficiency through a 1452 m² photovoltaic power plant, equivalent to less than six tennis courts. The solar array boasts a total capacity of 305 kWp, combined with an additional 70 kWp from rooftop photovoltaics, totaling 375 kWp. Annual electricity production is expected to reach approximately 350-370 MWh, meeting the store’s operational needs.
Surplus electricity will be stored in a newly constructed 328 kWh battery storage system for nighttime use. In summer and sunny periods, the plant will generate over 100 MWh more than the store consumes. This surplus will be allocated to other PENNY stores pending an Energy Regulatory Office license.
The project, completed in four months on the site of a former parking area, marks the first and largest public solar carport in the Czech Republic. Technology, including solar panels and storage, was supplied by Deucalion. This initiative aligns with PENNY's ongoing sustainable investments, following the opening of an all-wood, energy-independent store in Ždírc in Jihlavsk.
Carports are gaining popularity in Europe, with significant projects in Germany, France, and the Netherlands. France mandates solar installations for parking lots with over 80 spaces, while several German states have similar requirements. Experts predict nearly a quarter of solar energy could eventually come from parking lot projects.
PENNY's head of construction, Václav Šíma, emphasized the dual benefits of energy production and customer convenience, particularly shielding cars from summer heat. Following the evaluation of the Počátky project, PENNY will consider further investments in solar carports.
Source: Hybrid.cz
