Lyon-based company creates solar planning tool

A young company based in Lyon has developed a software tool capable of identifying, in 30 seconds, the parking lots affected by the APER law, the name of their owner, and their photovoltaic potential.

APER law sets solar installation deadlines

Since July 1, 2026, outdoor parking lots larger than 10,000 square meters must be covered with photovoltaic canopies on at least half of their surface. For parking lots between 1,500 and 10,000 square meters, the deadline is set for July 1, 2028, but this can be postponed to January 1, 2030 under certain conditions.

Eco Renov IA helps with compliance

To help installers, developers and/or third-party investors convince the last latecomers to comply with the regulations, the young Lyon-based company Eco Renov IA has developed a software tool capable of identifying, across all of France and in 30 seconds, the parking lots affected or not affected by the APER law, the name of their owner, and their photovoltaic potential.

Software includes detailed 3D analysis

Each site in Eco Renov IA's database (note: it contains nearly 1.3 million analyzed sites, including 21,000 ready for sale) is accompanied by an automatic 3D study, including the layout plan for the panels, the actual installable power, and the expected production, site by site.

3D analysis improves accuracy

Until now, the solar potential of a parking lot was most often estimated based on its surface area, which leads to figures that are either too optimistic or too cautious depending on the shape of the roof, obstacles, and shading. "A property owner who receives three quotes with three different power outputs does not know whom to believe. With the 3D study, the installer starts from what the roof or parking lot can actually accommodate. It saves time for everyone, at a time when every month counts to obtain a postponement of the APER law application," explains Patrick Laouamri, founder of EcoRenov IA.

New conditions for solar panel postponements

Knowing that the right to this postponement is subject to other conditions since September, such as the newly applicable requirements for solar panels (+22% efficiency) and their carbon footprint (-740 kgCO2eq/kWc).