The largest solar canopy plant in all of Europe will soon be found at Disneyland Paris. The solar canopy will cover a parking lot at Disneyland Paris and once it is completed, it will generate 36 GWh/year, or enough to handle generating electricity for a town of 17,400 people.
The Disney Parks Blog shared details about this new canopy and other environmental initiatives that Disney is working on as part of its 2030 environmental goals. Check out what Dr. Mark Penning, Vice President, Animals, Science and Environment, Disney Parks has shared here:
From the Sunshine State to the City of Light, we’re powering the magic all around the world – and reducing our carbon footprint while at it – through the power of the sun.
We’re working to accomplish our ambitious 2030 environmental goals and reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions for our direct operations by 2030. Using solar energy isn’t a new concept, but we are pushing the boundaries as part of Disney Planet Possible – and helping the habitats we call home in the process. Let’s take a tour around the world to learn about our solar arrays in action!
This Earth Month, we’re excited to announce that Disneyland Paris started construction on the final phase of what will be the largest solar canopy plant in all of Europe. Once completed later this year, the solar canopy plant will produce 36 GWh/year, equivalent to the energy consumption of a town of 17,400 people.
The solar canopy will cover the entire guest parking lot – 11,200 parking spaces – providing our guests shade and shelter from direct sunlight, rain or snow.
Solar power also energizes Tokyo Disney Resort, generating enough power to fuel the iconic Dreamlights Parade with solar panels installed at nine backstage locations across the resort.
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is setting an example locally, serving as home to the single largest solar panel site in Hong Kong. Across 47 locations, covering the park and hotels, we’ve installed over 7,500 solar panels. The project generation capacity is 3 megawatts (MW) per year. Last December, the resort installed the very first solar power system on a metal rooftop and is currently planning to have the first solar canopy in Hong Kong, atop the cast member parking lot.
A solar facility at Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line’s island in The Bahamas, is equipped with 4,320 panels and is designed to provide approximately 70% of the island’s power.
Soaking up the California sunshine, atop the Radiator Springs Racers attraction sits 1,400 solar panels that help power the magic at Disneyland Resort.
Along the roadway to EPCOT, look for the 48,000-panel, 5-megawatt solar array in the shape of Mickey Mouse! This facility opened in 2016 and was built in collaboration with Duke Energy and local utility partners. In 2019, Origis Energy USA joined with Walt Disney World Resort to open a 270-acre, 57-megawatt solar facility. The facility provides enough renewable energy to operate two theme parks.
But that’s only part of the story – it also creates 160-plus acres of pollinator habitat for Florida birds, bees, butterflies, bats, and more. The incredible Disney Conservation team planted dozens of different native plant species, to ensure pollinators would have a yearlong supply of bountiful blooms.
In November, Disney was awarded the EPRI & North American Pollinator Protection Campaign’s (NAPPC) Pollinator Electric Power Award for its success in co-locating solar and pollinator habitats.
So far, over 40 native species of pollinators and at least 60 species of insects have been making use of the solar pollinator habitat. And we haven’t stopped here – we are going to continue adding more habitat in and around the solar arrays.
Through innovative use of space, and with a touch of Disney magic, we are using the sun to conserve energy and power up in a responsible manner, and help plants, animals and people in the process. We’re so excited to have even more solar facilities coming online in the future. For example, at Disney Cruise Line’s new island destination at Lighthouse Point, located on the island of Eleuthera in The Bahamas, at least 90 percent of the destination’s electricity needs will be met by an onsite solar array.
And in early 2024, Walt Disney World Resort’s available solar energy resources will more than double with two new solar arrays constructed by two prominent Solar Development companies and local utility partners. These new arrays will reduce our carbon footprint and help power even more magic in our theme parks, resorts and beyond. Construction is underway on the two 75 MW arrays in nearby Gilchrist and Polk counties across 1,000 acres. These solar plants will enable us to harness the sun’s power and will make Walt Disney World Resort one of the largest commercial consumers of solar in the state.
To learn more about how we help protect and celebrate the magic of nature not just during Earth Month, but all year round, visit DisneyPlanetPossible.com.
