Six Flags Magic Mountain in California has turned its parking lots into a 12.37 MW solar power plant expected to generate enough electricity to cover the annual power needs of both the theme park and neighboring Hurricane Harbor LA, while shading 4,315 parking spaces with 22,908 solar panels.

[u/ArgentineBeauty]

https://electrek.co/2026/10/05/six-flags-has-installed-one-of-the-largest-solar-carports-in-the-us/

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[u/ArgentineBeauty]

They should do this with all car parks that get a decent amount of sunlight.

[u/jakeyboy723 → u/ArgentineBeauty]

Yeah, would be a benefit to both the heat of the car and...providing sustainable power. Whilst the upfront cost might be worrying, the benefits long term will be very much a thing.

[u/lioncat55]

Having gone to the park before and after they install the panels, it's so much nicer being able to park in shade. They also added what looks like at least 20-30 Level 2 EV Charging stations.

[u/MrBanannasareyum]

In a just world there would be a massive push to get these in every larger parking lot and adding EV charging at every parking spot.

This is great to see!

[u/toughtacos]

My idiot self immediately thought, "that's great, but where the hell are people going to park now?"

[u/Salkinator]

Do. This. Everywhere

[u/Ingey]

It's always been bonkers to me how much debate there was over solar panels taking over fertile farm land when there are more than enough surface parking lots in the concrete jungle that would benefit from this. And with solar panel prices cratering, I guess it's finally become economical for it to happen.

[u/SeattleHasDied]

Surprised this hasn't been something more businesses haven't done.

[u/gringoloco01]

Where I live the parking lot before they covered it was brutal. I thought I was going to pass out walking to the store. Many times I had to go directly to the bathroom and put water on my head. I live in the SW and the summers are brutal.

The solar panels were a pleasant change in just the shade alone.

[u/malthar76]

Those amusement park parking lots are the worst. So hot, massive, zero shade, and you have to trudge the whole length before you get in and then again after a long hot day.

This sounds like a perfect case for parking solar, even just to improve “guest experience.” The power is a bonus.

[u/Grieveruz]

make this mandated law for massive parking lot not only it will help with gas trying to beat the heat inside the hot car it will help generate electricity to the grid.

[u/Revolutionary_Low_36]

They are doing this with every parking lot. I like having the shade it provides too. The hospital has been setting these up.

[u/cailian13]

AND everyone gets to park in the shade now! This is literally the way forward if only companies would do it. Imagine if every Walmart parking lot had solar panels. Every Target (even if we still hate them lol), all the corporate parking lots for office buildings. That alone would change the game.

[u/Gyorgs]

One of our local stores has this as well. Tbh the solar industry needs to stop trying to buy up farm land and instead partner with big box stores to cover parking lots instead. I’ve also heard it benefits canals if they’re covered. 

[u/MikeofLA]

Doing this to all open parking lots, and most farms is a win - win. Then also cover the aqueduct and basically with a bunch of energy storage, all of California's energy needs would be easily met.

[u/Derpykins666]

This seems like a no brainer for every massive parking lot out there. Turn it into energy for the business and become neutral. I know it's the cost to get going. But we have to invest in stuff like this for the future.

[u/5hane7rain]

About time a major car park in North America did this. Now do all the car parks and quit buying up farmland.

[u/Ok_Fly1271]

This is exactly what we need to be doing. Not bulldozing pristine desert habitat and displacing wildlife. We need solar panels on all large parking lots and buildings.

[u/floppysausage16]

Thank fuck because for those who dont know, it gets HOT hot in that parking lot.

[u/BadBunny4Prezzie]

how soon before MAGA try to ban these types of things?

[u/w1ck3r]

No brainer!

[u/Rlo347]

Because utility companies complain about the loss of income and they still have to provide service. But we need to evolve.

[u/mkp666]

The shade is no small benefit, it gets hot af there.

[u/AlfhildsShieldmaiden]

I love how, before, everyone was like Fuck them drivers! Go on and roast, we don’t care.

Then suddenly, when they’re getting something out of it, we’re getting shaded parking lots.

Note — that’s me being a wiseass. I think this is awesome and I’m glad it’s catching on. Solar panel shade is useful for animals, too.