Solar Panels or Plants to be mandatory on new commercial rooftops in France

A new law passed on March 19 by the French Parliament will require that rooftops on new buildings built in commercial areas across France are to be partially covered in vegetation or solar panels.

According to the Agence France-Presse (AFP)  the law was more limited in scope than initial calls by French environmental activists to make green roofs that cover the entire surface mandatory on all new buildings.

Green MP Laurence Abeille emphasized the many benefits of installing green roofs on commercial areas, such as improved building insulation, “heat island” effect reduction, better integration of buildings into the landscape, improved storm water management and above all the preservation of biodiversity in urban areas.

This measure falls in line with the bill passed last year regarding energy transition towards green growth. Its main objectives are summarized in the document below.

Source: France 24, France Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy. Image Credit: Christopher Porter via Flickr.