Renault has pressed the button on six giant solar photovoltaic systems across France, as part of a global initiative that could see similar systems installed at the company’s facilities in Slovenia, Morocco, South America and South Korea.

The automaker announced yesterday that it has flicked the switch on 59MW of solar power capacity, covering the equivalent of 60 football pitches, as part of its push to power its production sites using energy generated onsite.

The panels have been installed at sites in Douai, Maubeuge, Flins, Batilly, Sandouville and Cléon, with Gestamp Solar and Coruscant acting as project managers.

Renault did not reveal the value of the investment, but predicted the installations could help avoid 200 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

The solar panels will also create canopies that could help to limit storm damage to new cars before they are delivered.

In addition to the French facilities, Renault plans to install a further 100,000 square metres of PV panels at the Valladolid and Palencia plants in Spain through an agreement with Cenit Solar. It is also expecting to fit 300,000 square metres of panels at its Busan site in South Korea by the end of this year.

Moreover, the company said it is conducting feasibility studies for similar systems in Slovenia, Morocco, Brazil, Colombia, Chile and Romania.