Electricity: this Lidl store works partly thanks to photovoltaic panels

Margaux Fodéré 07h17, 01 April 2023

REPORT

The energy transition is underway. Europeans agreed on Thursday 30 March on a target of 42.5% renewable energy in their consumption by the end of the decade. Renewable energies are wind, hydro, but also photovoltaic. Everywhere, solar panels are taking over our daily lives. Even in the supermarket.

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In Chilly-Mazarin, Essonne, the Lidl brand covered the entire roof of the store with solar panels. The aim is to reduce dependence on the electricity grid. Located at the end of a commercial area, the store stands out for its green façade and large windows. At the back, a hidden staircase provides access to the roof.

1,300 m2 of photovoltaic panels

"We arrive on the main roof. We have 1300 m2 of photovoltaic panels here." This device cost more than 100,000 euros, but with the soaring energy bills, the brand does not regret at all, says Romain Recq, Health Safety Environment Manager.

"In 2017, it took between 10 to 15 years for this investment to become profitable. Today, with the very sharp increase in electricity costs, they (the panels, editor's note) are much more interesting financially."

40% of electricity needs

Lighting, air conditioning or cold furniture... These panels cover 40% of the store's electricity needs. An important source of energy, but it is difficult to go beyond that: "We could not put more photovoltaic panels on the roof."

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And there's another problem: these panels only work during the day, thanks to the sun. "In an ideal world we could store the overproduced energy that is not used in the consumption of the store during the day. To be able to use it at night and therefore avoid shooting at the network." Since 2019, solar panels or plants must cover at least 30% of the roof of a new department store.