Rennes metro operated by Keolis to be powered in part by solar energy
The city is pioneering rooftop photovoltaic installations that will supply electricity directly to its metro network, in partnership with metro operator Keolis Rennes Métropole.
A first for urban transit
A pioneering project is taking shape in Brittany: by 2027, Rennes will become the first metro system to be powered in part by solar energy. This sustainability initiative is part of a local public-private partnership headed by Energ’iV, a government-backed entity dedicated to renewable energy. Energ’iV works in partnership with Rennes Métropole and Keolis Rennes Métropole, operator of the city’s STAR public transport network.
2
solar installations to generate electricity for the Rennes metro system
7%
of the Rennes metro’s annual electricity consumption covered by solar energy
€1.5m
investment
Annual output: 1 GWh
Two rooftop solar arrays will be installed, one at the Chantepie maintenance depot for Line A, and the other at the La Maltière depot for Line B. Electricity generated will be fed directly into the two lines’ electricity systems.
Annual output is expected to reach 1 GWh, all of which will be consumed by the metro, representing an estimated 7% of its annual electricity needs.
Community-backed funding
This project has secured funding from the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). But it is also being supported by a local crowdfunding campaign, giving residents the opportunity to invest directly in this ground-breaking solar-powered metro project. Participants can invest any amount between €100 and €10,000, and receive an annual return of 5% a year over a 60-month period. The campaign aims to raise €500,000 or 30% of the project’s total cost.
Share the article