Automaker Renault has installed 400,000sq m of solar photovoltaic systems at six of its French production sites.

The panels have been installed at sites in Douai, Maubeuge, Flins, Batilly, Sandouville and Cleon to develop total power of 59 MW as well as produce 52,600 MWh of electricity a year.

Renault said that the phototovoltaic installations will help avoid 200 tonnes of cannually.

The automaker plans to install about 100,000sq m of photovoltaic panels at the Valladolid and Palencia plants in Spain through an agreement with Cenit Solar.

By the end of 2012, Renault expects to install 300,000sq m of panels at its Busan site in South Korea.

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

Renault developed the photovoltaic project together with its partners Gestamp Solar and Coruscant (Cleon only).