http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/4164/

While the UK Government is slashing feed-in tariffs for large-scale solar installations, they are taking to the rooftops elsewhere in Europe.

In Belgium, Solyndra International has completed a 3 MW rooftop solar system on a distribution centre in a Brussels suburb for supermarket chain Delhaize.

The Zellik installation comprises over 17,000 Solyndra solar modules spread over 34,000 m² and will generate around 2400 MWh a year, enough to power over 700 households.

"The innovative panel design allows us to maximize the installed capacity, reducing our CO₂ emissions by 600 tons annually on these distribution centre roofs alone," says Denis Knoops of Delhaize Belgium.

Rooftop solar installations are part of Delhaize's commitment to reduce its CO₂ by 20% by 2020.

Meanwhile, carmaker Renault has announced plans to install solar roof panels at its French plants totalling 60 MW in capacity and covering an area of 450,000 m².

The project, in partnership with Gestamp Solar, is the largest in the automotive industry, claims Renault, and will cut its CO₂ emissions by 30,000 tonnes a year.

Rooftop installations at the company's Douai, Maubeuge, Flins, Batilly and Sandouville sites, along with installations on staff parking lots at Maubeuge and Cléon, will start later this month and be completed by February next year.

The plans are part of the company's 'Drive The Change' strategy to reduce its carbon footprint 10% by 2013 and a further 10% by 2016.