Bordeaux Métropole // Solarization program of 4 parking lots Inauguration of the 1st photovoltaic plant of the program: Plaine des Sports Colette Besson (Bordeaux-Lac)

On 12 December, the companies Néomix (a subsidiary of Bordeaux Métropole Energies) and GreenYellow, an international leader in decentralized energy transition, winners in 2023 of the Call for Expressions of Interest jointly launched by Bordeaux Métropole and the City of Bordeaux – inaugurated the first plant of the solarization program for 4 metropolitan parking lots: Bordeaux Lac and Bacalan, Villenave d’Ornon, and Lormont.
The solar carports, designed to accommodate both light vehicles and heavy trucks, represent a key milestone in the deployment of local photovoltaic production.

The inauguration, in the presence of the Mayor of Bordeaux and the Vice-President of Bordeaux Métropole in charge of energy and climate, marks the commissioning of more than 2,000 m² of installations, expected to save 162 tCO₂, concretely illustrating the decarbonization momentum underway across the metropolitan area.

1st project: Bordeaux-Lac (Plaine des Sports Colette Besson)

The solar carport consists of 1,098 panels, covering an area of 2,193 m², with a total capacity of 500 kWp, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 250 French households (excluding heating). Expected benefits: an emission of 162 tCO2 avoided over the duration of the project (30 years) as well as increased comfort for users (shade, protection against bad weather).

4 structuring projects in the heart of Bordeaux Métropole

Launched by Bordeaux Métropole and the City of Bordeaux in 2021, the Call for Expressions of Interest aims to install photovoltaic coverage through carports over four parking lots for light and heavy vehicles in several municipalities of the metropolitan area:

Centre routier des 3 Cardinaux (Bacalan)
Plaine des Sports Colette Besson (Bordeaux-Lac)
Parking relais Pyrénées (Villenave d’Ornon)
Parking relais Lauriers (Lormont)

With over 26,000 m² of carports and more than 10,000 panels installed, the program will cover nearly 500 parking spaces and generate the equivalent of the annual electricity consumption of 1,700 households (excluding heating).

These solar projects are part of the Metropolitan Area’s climate strategy, which aims to achieve positive energy territory status by 2050. By the end of 2026, they will represent an installed capacity of 5 MWp and an annual production of 6 GWh of green, local, and competitive electricity – equivalent to the consumption of over 1,500 French households. In concrete terms, this will avoid more than 2,000 tons of CO₂ each year, an effort comparable to removing over 1,300 cars from the roads.

Pierre Hurmic, Mayor of Bordeaux: “This project at the Plaine des Sports Colette-Besson, led by Néomix and GreenYellow, is a prime example of a broader initiative: the Solar Alliance, which since 2024, at the initiative of the City of Bordeaux, has brought together more than fifty public and private partners. This unique alliance makes our territory one of the pioneers in the energy transition.”

Timeline of the 3 other projects:

Parking Relais P+R Pyrénées, Villenave d’Ornon: a 300 kWp solar plant that will produce 400 MWh//year – commissioning scheduled for mid-2026. It will contribute to the production of local electricity and reduce the carbon footprint by +300 tons of CO₂/year.
Centre routier des 3 Cardinaux, Bordeaux: a 7 MWp solar plant that will produce 4.4 GWh/year – commissioning scheduled for May 2026. This strategic installation for metropolitan logistics represents a major technical challenge, with photovoltaic carports sized to allow the passage of heavy goods vehicles. It will also avoid +1,100 tonnes of CO₂/year.
Parking Relais P+R Lauriers, Lormont: a 500 kWp solar plant that will produce 600 MWh/year – commissioning scheduled for 2026. It enhances a Park-and-Ride facility that is essential for sustainable mobility and avoids +350 tonnes of CO₂/year.

All parking areas are being redesigned and modernized to offer optimal comfort for users: shade, protection from bad weather, reduced heat inside vehicles, sheltered pedestrian areas, improved pedestrian pathways, and an overall modernized experience.

“Bordeaux Métropole has set itself a strong ambition, supported by its PCAET, to become a positive-energy territory by 2050. The Métropole has set a target of deploying 265 MWp of installed photovoltaic capacity within its territory by 2028, including the solarization of public and private parking areas within the metropolitan area, which represent a significant land reserve – 93 hectares of parking space dedicated to solar projects,” explains Claudine Bichet, Vice-President of Bordeaux Métropole in charge of Climate, Energy Transition and Health.
“The commissioning of this project illustrates our ability to make the energy transition tangible and operational across the territory. As a subsidiary of the SEM Bordeaux Métropole Energies, Néomix is committed to supporting local authorities within the metropolitan and Gironde areas in deploying solar projects. Our local presence and in-depth knowledge of the territory enable us to turn these ambitious projects into reality. We are proud to support the City of Bordeaux and Bordeaux Métropole, both of which are particularly proactive in rolling out renewable energies – and solar energy in particular,” states Audrey Dugal, President of Néomix.
“Together with Néomix, we are demonstrating that a parking area can become a genuine solar plant, thereby modernizing and enhancing the infrastructure. With 300 MWp already installed in solar carports – representing more than 140,000 parking spaces – GreenYellow is transforming every square meter of asphalt into a source of savings and positive impact. We provide financing and operate across the entire value chain, from study and design to operation and maintenance, enabling our clients to benefit from a turnkey solution with no upfront investment. It is an innovative and sustainable way to tackle climate challenges while improving user comfort,” adds Mathieu Cambet, Deputy CEO of GreenYellow France.