DHL Group will invest approximately €160 million in France during 2026 and 2027, expanding logistics capacity while accelerating fleet electrification, charging infrastructure, solar energy deployment and lower-emission transport operations.

The new programme will bring DHL’s total investment in France between 2018 and 2027 to almost €900 million. It covers every major DHL business division operating in the country, including DHL Express, DHL Global Forwarding, DHL Freight and DHL Supply Chain. The announcement was made alongside the ninth Choose France Summit, which promotes international business investment in the French economy.

For the European energy sector, the significance extends beyond one logistics company. Warehouses, parcel hubs, fulfilment centres and freight terminals are becoming active energy assets. Large rooftop areas can support commercial solar panels, vehicle depots require high-capacity charging infrastructure, and increasingly electrified fleets create new demand for grid connections, solar inverters, energy management and potentially battery energy storage.

DHL’s investment shows how logistics infrastructure and clean energy infrastructure are beginning to develop together.

What Does DHL’s €160 Million French Investment Cover?

The investment will be distributed across DHL’s French operations rather than being assigned to a single building or technology.

DHL says the programme will focus on:

• Expanding logistics and warehouse capacity
• Modernising operational infrastructure
• Electrifying delivery fleets
• Installing additional charging infrastructure
• Introducing alternative-fuel vehicles
• Increasing the use of sustainable aviation fuel
• Deploying solar energy solutions at logistics locations
• Using lower-carbon fuels for heavy goods vehicles
• Electrifying warehouse equipment
• Improving building energy efficiency

A significant share of the investment will support sustainability initiatives connected with DHL Group’s objective of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from logistics activities by 2050.

The official announcement does not disclose how much of the €160 million will be spent specifically on solar energy. It also does not provide the total planned photovoltaic capacity, the number of solar-equipped sites or the expected energy storage capacity.

This distinction matters. The programme clearly includes solar energy deployment, but it should not be presented as a €160 million solar investment. The funding also covers property development, operational equipment, vehicles, charging systems, warehousing and wider logistics infrastructure.

DHL Express: Fleet Electrification and Charging Infrastructure

DHL Express will invest in fleet modernisation, electric vehicles, charging equipment, operational technology and the continued development of its French network.

Since 2018, DHL Express has completed 20 real-estate projects in France. Major investments include the Paris Charles de Gaulle Hub, opened in 2021, and the Lyon-Saint Exupéry Gateway, opened in 2025.

The Lyon gateway provides a practical example of how modern logistics sites are being designed around energy efficiency and electric mobility. DHL reported that the facility achieved a 55% improvement in energy performance compared with the previous site and included 78 electric vehicle charging stations, energy-efficient lighting, intelligent energy management and building features designed to reduce heating and cooling losses.

For solar installers and energy system designers, this type of site creates a substantially different load profile from a conventional warehouse.

Electric delivery vehicles may return to the depot within a limited time window and begin charging simultaneously. Sorting equipment, ventilation, office areas, security systems and lighting add further loads. The electrical design must therefore manage both total energy consumption and short periods of high power demand.

A commercial solar PV system can offset part of that daytime demand, but the complete solution may also require:

• Load-controlled EV chargers
• Dynamic charging management
• High-capacity grid connections
• Commercial solar inverters
• Smart electricity meters
• Site energy management
• Battery energy storage
• Transformer and switchgear upgrades
• Peak-demand limitation
• Backup and power-quality systems

Installing chargers without reviewing available grid capacity can create significant operational problems. A fleet depot may have enough annual electricity supply but insufficient instantaneous power to charge all vehicles at the required time.

DHL Global Forwarding and Lower-Emission Freight Operations

DHL Global Forwarding plans to invest in alternative-fuel vehicles, handling equipment and warehouse infrastructure.

The aim is to reduce the environmental impact of freight-forwarding operations while maintaining the capacity needed for international cargo movements.

Freight terminals have several characteristics that can make them suitable for commercial photovoltaics:

• Large warehouse roofs
• Extensive vehicle parking areas
• Relatively predictable operating schedules
• Significant daytime electrical demand
• Electric handling equipment
• Refrigeration or temperature-controlled storage
• Growing requirements for vehicle charging

Solar carports may also become relevant where roof condition, roof loading or available surface area limits rooftop installation.

A solar carport can serve three functions simultaneously:

1. Generate renewable electricity.
2. Provide weather protection for vehicles.
3. Support EV charging close to the point of use.

However, carport projects normally involve greater structural and civil-engineering requirements than a standard rooftop napelemes rendszer. Foundation design, vehicle clearance, drainage, collision protection, lighting and cable routing must all be included in the project scope.

DHL Freight Plans Additional French Facilities

DHL Freight will continue investing in alternative-fuel vehicles and logistics properties.

The division completed six French real-estate projects between 2018 and the 2026 announcement. Another six projects are planned for delivery by 2030.

Heavy freight is more difficult to electrify than urban parcel delivery because long-distance trucks require larger batteries, higher charging power and more demanding operational planning.

DHL’s wider road transport strategy includes a target to electrify more than two-thirds of its pickup and delivery fleet by 2030. The Group also aims to increase the share of sustainable fuels and electrification in heavy-duty transport to more than 30% by the same year.

For heavy vehicle depots, charging infrastructure may require power levels far above those used for passenger cars or light commercial vans.

The energy system may need to coordinate:

• Megawatt-scale depot demand
• High-power DC charging
• Vehicle arrival and departure times
• Driver operating schedules
• Grid connection limits
• Rooftop solar production
• Wholesale electricity prices
• Battery state of charge
• On-site energy storage
• Alternative fuels for routes that cannot yet be electrified

This makes energy management software increasingly important. The objective is not simply to charge every vehicle as quickly as possible. It is to ensure that vehicles are ready when required without creating unnecessary grid peaks or exceeding the electrical capacity of the site.

DHL Supply Chain Expands Warehouse Capacity

DHL Supply Chain plans to expand its warehouse footprint around southern Paris, Orléans and Lyon.

The new capacity will support rising demand for third-party logistics services in:

• Life sciences
• Healthcare
• Manufacturing
• Technology
• E-commerce

DHL also plans to strengthen fourth-party logistics services through its Toulouse control tower, which coordinates complex supply chains involving several providers and transport networks.

Warehouses serving pharmaceutical and healthcare customers can have demanding energy requirements. Temperature-controlled areas, ventilation, monitoring, backup systems and continuous data collection may operate around the clock.

A solar PV system can reduce imported electricity during daylight hours, but the system must be designed around the facility’s actual operating profile.

Important questions include:

• Is the warehouse ambient, chilled or frozen?
• Does the site operate continuously?
• How much of the load occurs during solar production hours?
• Are electric forklifts charged during the day or overnight?
• Will delivery vehicles also use the site’s electrical infrastructure?
• Does the facility require backup generation?
• Is the roof structurally suitable for solar panels?
• Is future energy storage planned?
• What export capacity is available?
• Will the facility expand during the lifetime of the PV system?

For a new logistics building, solar should be considered during the initial electrical and structural design rather than added after construction. Early planning can improve cable routing, inverter positioning, roof access, fire separation and compatibility with future EV charging.

Why Logistics Buildings Are Well Suited to Solar PV

Logistics properties often provide some of the best physical conditions for commercial solar installations.

Large Roof Areas

Distribution centres and warehouses commonly have wide, relatively unobstructed roofs.

This can support hundreds or thousands of solar panels without requiring additional land. Electricity is produced close to the point of consumption, reducing dependence on distant generation and making better use of existing industrial space.

Significant Daytime Consumption

Sorting machines, conveyor systems, office areas, ventilation, cooling and vehicle-charging equipment can create substantial daytime electricity demand.

Where the solar generation profile aligns with the building’s consumption, a high proportion of the energy may be used directly on site.

High self-consumption can improve project economics because the electricity replaces power that would otherwise have been purchased from the grid.

Predictable Long-Term Use

Large logistics facilities are normally designed for long operational lifetimes. This makes it possible to evaluate solar PV investment over a longer period than would be practical for temporary premises.

The property lease, roof warranty and expected site use must still be checked. A technically attractive PV project may not be financially suitable when the building lease is shorter than the required investment period.

Potential for EV Charging Integration

Solar generation and electric fleet charging can be managed within the same energy system.

Although vehicle charging demand will not always coincide perfectly with solar production, smart charging can prioritise available on-site generation where operational schedules permit.

How a Logistics Solar PV System Should Be Designed

A commercial rooftop system should not be sized simply by covering every available square metre with solar panels.

The designer must evaluate the building, electrical infrastructure and business operation as a complete system.

Analyse the Load Profile

Annual electricity consumption alone is insufficient.

The installer should obtain interval data showing when the building consumes electricity. Fifteen-minute or hourly data can reveal:

• Daytime base load
• Overnight consumption
• Seasonal variation
• Weekend demand
• Short power peaks
• Vehicle charging periods
• Cooling and heating requirements
• Potential flexible loads

A warehouse consuming 2 GWh per year may have a very different solar opportunity depending on whether most of its demand occurs during daylight hours or overnight.

Inspect the Roof Structure

The structural assessment must consider:

• Existing roof load
• Solar panel weight
• Mounting system
• Ballast
• Wind uplift
• Snow load
• Drainage
• Roof membrane condition
• Maintenance access
• Firefighter routes
• Skylights and smoke vents
• Future roof replacement

A lightweight solar panel is not automatically the lowest-risk option. Module dimensions, clamp zones, wind loads and mounting compatibility must also be reviewed.

Verify the Electrical Connection

The existing electrical installation must be capable of accepting the solar inverter output.

The project may require assessment of:

• Main incoming capacity
• Transformer rating
• Low-voltage switchboard
• Protection coordination
• Short-circuit levels
• Export limitation
• Harmonic performance
• Reactive power control
• Metering
• Grid-connection approval

For large commercial systems, grid approval can become a schedule-critical workstream. Equipment procurement should not be finalised before the available connection capacity and required protection functions are understood.

Select the Correct Solar Inverter Architecture

A logistics building may use distributed string inverters or a more centralised inverter design.

String inverters can provide:

• Multiple MPPT channels
• Flexible array design
• Easier response to different roof orientations
• Reduced impact from a single inverter failure
• Detailed string monitoring
• Modular maintenance

The selected solar inverter must be compatible with the solar panel voltage and current under all expected temperatures.

Modern high-power solar panels can produce substantial current. Procurement teams should therefore verify:

• Maximum inverter input current
• Maximum short-circuit current
• MPPT voltage range
• Maximum DC voltage
• Number of strings per MPPT
• Connector compatibility
• Permitted DC oversizing
• Grid-code certification

Matching only the nominal wattage of the module and inverter is not sufficient.

Can Battery Energy Storage Support Logistics Decarbonisation?

DHL’s French announcement refers to solar deployment, vehicle charging and energy-efficient infrastructure but does not specify a new battery energy storage programme for the French sites.

Nevertheless, energy storage may be relevant where operational and economic conditions justify it.

A commercial solar battery can potentially:

• Store surplus daytime solar production
• Reduce peak grid demand
• Support vehicle charging
• Shift electricity consumption to lower-cost periods
• Limit solar export
• Provide backup power for selected loads
• Participate in flexibility services
• Improve local use of renewable electricity

The business case depends on several site-specific factors:

• Electricity tariff structure
• Peak-demand charges
• Grid connection limits
• Solar export compensation
• Vehicle charging schedule
• Required backup duration
• Battery cycling frequency
• Available flexibility revenue
• Fire-safety requirements

Battery storage should not be added simply because a site has solar panels or EV chargers. The system must solve a defined technical or commercial problem.

Power and Energy Are Different Requirements

Battery specifications are commonly expressed using two values.

Power, measured in kW or MW, determines how quickly the battery can charge or discharge.

Energy, measured in kWh or MWh, determines how long it can maintain that output.

A 1 MW/1 MWh battery could theoretically discharge at full power for approximately one hour. A 1 MW/4 MWh battery could maintain the same output for around four hours, subject to usable capacity, efficiency and operating limits.

For a logistics depot, a high-power short-duration battery may be useful for limiting charging peaks. A longer-duration battery may be required to shift larger quantities of midday solar energy into evening vehicle charging.

Solar Carports Could Support Electric Delivery Fleets

Many logistics sites have extensive parking and loading areas that cannot be covered by rooftop solar alone.

Solar carports can expand on-site generation while supporting fleet electrification.

A professional carport system may include:

• Bifacial or monofacial solar panels
• Steel or aluminium supporting structures
• String solar inverters
• AC and DC protection
• EV chargers
• Load-management systems
• Lighting
• CCTV and security equipment
• Drainage
• Vehicle-impact protection

Bifacial solar panels may be beneficial where the surface beneath the structure reflects sufficient light onto the rear side of the modules. Actual bifacial gain depends on installation height, row spacing, ground colour, shading and module design.

The additional generation should not be assumed from the module’s bifacial rating alone. Project-specific modelling is required.

Fleet Electrification Changes Grid Requirements

Electric vehicles shift part of a logistics company’s energy dependence from liquid fuel to electricity.

This creates opportunities for renewable generation, but it can also place significant pressure on local network capacity.

Consider a depot with 100 electric delivery vans. If every vehicle charges at 22 kW simultaneously, the combined theoretical load would be 2.2 MW before building consumption is included.

In practice, not every vehicle must charge at full power throughout the entire parking period. Smart charging can distribute available capacity based on:

• Departure time
• Required driving range
• Battery state of charge
• Electricity price
• Site demand
• Solar generation
• Grid limits
• Charger availability

The objective is to deliver the required energy by the required departure time rather than maximise instantaneous charging power.

This can substantially reduce the grid capacity needed for fleet electrification.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel Remains Important for DHL Express

Solar PV and vehicle electrification can reduce emissions from buildings and road operations, but they cannot directly replace aviation fuel.

DHL therefore identifies sustainable aviation fuel as another major part of its decarbonisation strategy. The company has been using SAF as a key tool for reducing the lifecycle emissions associated with air freight and has entered several long-term fuel agreements.

This illustrates why logistics decarbonisation requires several technologies.

Different operations require different solutions:

• Solar PV for buildings and daytime electricity
• Electric vehicles for suitable delivery routes
• Charging infrastructure for depots
• Low-carbon fuels for some heavy transport
• Sustainable aviation fuel for air freight
• Energy-efficient warehouses
• Battery storage where technically and commercially justified
• Digital route and load optimisation

No single technology can decarbonise an international logistics network by itself.

Why DHL’s Investment Matters to Corporate Customers

Transport and distribution emissions can form part of a customer’s Scope 3 greenhouse gas inventory.

Under the GHG Protocol, upstream and downstream transportation performed by third parties may be included in the reporting company’s value-chain emissions, depending on the commercial relationship and reporting boundary.

This means that logistics procurement can influence more than delivery time and freight cost.

Corporate buyers may increasingly request information about:

• Vehicle technology
• Fuel type
• Aviation fuel use
• Shipment-level emissions
• Renewable electricity
• Warehouse energy performance
• Carbon accounting methodology
• Chain-of-custody systems
• Emissions-reduction claims

A logistics provider with electric delivery vehicles, energy-efficient facilities and lower-emission fuel options may help customers address transport-related emissions.

However, procurement teams should distinguish between actual physical emissions reductions and accounting mechanisms such as book-and-claim systems. Both may have a role, but they represent different relationships between the purchased service and the physical movement of the shipment.

What the Investment Means for Solar Installers and EPC Companies

The development of lower-emission logistics infrastructure creates opportunities for electrical contractors, napelemes telepítő companies and EPC providers.

Potential project areas include:

• Commercial rooftop solar
• Solar carports
• Fleet charging infrastructure
• Commercial solar inverters
• C&I energy storage
• Transformer upgrades
• Energy management systems
• Export limitation
• Monitoring and SCADA
• Building energy optimisation
• Preventive maintenance

These projects require more than standard residential installation experience.

A logistics site may remain operational during construction, requiring detailed phasing, access control and safety planning. Installers may need to work around loading docks, delivery vehicles, automated equipment and regulated storage areas.

The EPC proposal should define:

• System capacity
• Expected annual generation
• Self-consumption estimate
• Grid export assumptions
• Structural scope
• Electrical scope
• Shutdown requirements
• Construction schedule
• Warranty responsibility
• Monitoring platform
• Maintenance requirements
• Spare-parts strategy

Procurement Requirements for Logistics Solar Projects

Professional buyers should request complete and model-specific documentation before ordering solar panels, solar inverters or energy storage equipment.

Solar Panel Documentation

Required information may include:

• Manufacturer datasheet
• EU Declaration of Conformity
• IEC test certificates
• Fire classification
• Mechanical load ratings
• Hail test information
• Temperature coefficients
• Product warranty
• Performance warranty
• Connector specification
• Pallet configuration
• Serial-number traceability

Solar Inverter Documentation

The project file should include:

• Technical datasheet
• Grid-compliance documentation
• MPPT characteristics
• Maximum input current
• Communication protocols
• Monitoring requirements
• Warranty terms
• Service procedure
• Firmware information
• Compatible meters and accessories

Energy Storage Documentation

Where a solar battery or commercial energy storage system is included, procurement should cover:

• Battery chemistry
• Gross and usable capacity
• Charge and discharge power
• Cycle warranty
• Operating temperature
• Thermal management
• Fire detection and suppression
• BMS communication
• Inverter or PCS compatibility
• Transport certification
• Emergency response documentation

A complete kit is only complete when every critical component is technically compatible and supported by the relevant documentation.

What Solar Wholesalers Should Learn from DHL’s Expansion

Large logistics investments create demand for reliable regional supply chains.

A solar wholesaler serving commercial projects must be able to provide more than a product list.

Professional support may include:

• Project-based pricing
• Stock reservation
• Pallet and truckload supply
• Delivery scheduling
• Model compatibility checks
• Technical documentation
• Warranty coordination
• Replacement equipment
• Multisite procurement
• European delivery

Warehouse stock should always be verified for the exact model. Similar product names may refer to different power classes, connector versions, frame colours, firmware revisions or market certifications.

For time-sensitive EPC projects, the supplier should confirm:

• Physical stock location
• Available quantity
• Production date
• Delivery term
• Transport method
• Pallet dimensions
• Product revision
• Documentation status
• Replacement availability

This is particularly important for commercial solar panels and inverters that may be discontinued or replaced during a multi-phase project.

DHL’s Role in New Energy Supply Chains

DHL is not only reducing emissions within its own operations. The Group is also expanding logistics services for energy transition industries.

Its New Energy Logistics portfolio covers eight major segments, including solar, wind, electric vehicles and batteries, battery energy storage systems, hydrogen, grid infrastructure and alternative fuels.

The energy transition requires large and complex physical supply chains.

A solar or battery project may involve:

• Raw materials
• Cells and modules
• Power electronics
• Containers
• Transformers
• Mounting systems
• Dangerous goods transport
• Customs clearance
• Warehousing
• Final-mile project delivery
• Spare parts
• Reverse logistics

Transport quality directly affects project performance. Damaged solar panels, incorrectly stored batteries or delayed inverters can create major construction and commissioning risks.

As renewable deployment accelerates, logistics companies will play a growing role in connecting manufacturers, solar distributors, wholesalers, EPC contractors and project sites.

Frequently Asked Questions About DHL’s French Investment

How much will DHL invest in France?

DHL Group plans to invest approximately €160 million in France during 2026 and 2027.

How much has DHL invested in France since 2018?

The company expects its total French investment between 2018 and 2027 to reach almost €900 million.

Will the entire €160 million be spent on clean energy?

No. The investment covers logistics capacity, real estate, operational equipment, fleet modernisation, charging infrastructure and decarbonisation. DHL has not disclosed a separate solar or clean energy budget.

Is DHL planning solar installations in France?

Yes. DHL identifies solar energy deployment across logistics sites as one of the sustainability measures included in the programme. The company has not disclosed the total planned PV capacity.

Which DHL divisions will receive investment?

The programme covers DHL Express, DHL Global Forwarding, DHL Freight and DHL Supply Chain operations in France.

Will DHL expand its French electric vehicle fleet?

Yes. Fleet electrification and charging infrastructure are among the main investment areas, particularly for DHL Express.

Can warehouse solar panels directly charge electric delivery vehicles?

Yes, where the site’s electrical architecture and charging schedule allow it. An energy management system may be required to coordinate solar generation, building demand, grid capacity and vehicle charging.

Does every logistics solar project need battery storage?

No. Energy storage is justified when it provides a defined benefit, such as peak reduction, grid-capacity support, solar shifting, backup power or flexibility revenue.

DHL’s French investment demonstrates that logistics capacity and energy infrastructure can no longer be planned separately. A modern distribution centre may also function as a solar generation site, an electric vehicle charging hub and a digitally controlled energy consumer.

For the solar industry, this creates demand for procurement-ready commercial systems rather than isolated components. Solar panels, solar inverters, charging infrastructure, electrical protection and energy storage must operate within one coordinated design that supports the logistics company’s actual schedule and power requirements.

Solar&Solar Wholesale supports professional installers, EPC companies, electrical contractors and B2B buyers with solar panels, commercial solar inverters, solar battery solutions, C&I energy storage, electrical protection and complete system components. Exact model compatibility, current warehouse stock and European delivery conditions should be confirmed before procurement.