South Korea has officially passed a landmark law requiring all parking lots with 80 or more spaces—including existing ones—to install solar canopies or carports.

The legislation aims to transform vast, under-utilized parking areas into clean energy hubs. These solar canopies not only generate renewable power, but also provide shade, reduce urban heat islands, and open opportunities for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Unlike many solar mandates that only apply to new developments, this law applies retroactively to existing lots as well, signaling a major step forward for urban solar deployment.

Officials estimate that by tapping into this enormous potential, South Korea could significantly boost its domestic solar capacity without expanding land use into rural or agricultural areas. This kind of policy illustrates how renewables can be integrated into everyday infrastructure—turning mundane spaces into sources of clean power. That’s what’s right with the world.