Retail landlord Stockland has officially ‘switched on’ its second single rooftop solar system recently installed at its Wetherill Park Shopping Centre to provide renewable energy to the centre and its 210 retailers.
The $2 million 925kW solar PV system, installed by Autonomous Energy, consists of more than 2,900 solar Photo-Voltaic (PV) panels across a total roof surface area of 5,695sqm – equivalent to around 13 average sized home lots, Stockland stated.
On average, the system will generate 3,620 kilowatt hours (kWh) per day – enough to power 125 homes and 23 per cent of the centre’s annual base building power requirements; with a target to generate 1,343,178 kWh per year.
“We are excited to celebrate the ‘switch on’ of our new solar project at Stockland Wetherill Park and to continue to roll out more solar installations at all viable centres across our portfolio,” said John Schroder, Group executive and CEO Commercial Property at Stockland.
“Our investment in sustainability initiatives like solar not only provide a number of environmental benefits but also new jobs and financial savings for our retailers.”
Schroder said the company believes in the ability for sustainable practices to change the energy landscape in Australia and this new solar system installation is an important step in that direction within the large scale commercial property arena.
Stockland has previously invested $2.8 million in solar projects installed across its Shellharbour, Stockland Green Hills and Nowra shopping centres in NSW.
In 2015, Stockland celebrated the switch on of one of Australia’s largest rooftop solar projects at Stockland Shellharbour. The project has generated over 2.5 million kWh of energy.
The Stockland Wetherill Park solar system is just one of a number of sustainability initiatives at the shopping centre. Stockland Wetherill Park, was awarded a 5 Star Green Star – Retail Centre Design rating from The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) for its sustainable design and development of the $228 million redevelopment completed in December 2015.
A number of sustainability initiatives have been incorporated at the centre including mixed-mode air conditioning, low-energy light fittings and climate responsive ventilation systems to reduce energy and greenhouse gas emissions. The use of rainwater harvested for toilet flushing is also expected to have reduced water consumption by 5kL per day, the equivalent of 111 five-minuteshowers every day.
The centre also includes a number of community initiatives including cycling and shower facilities to encourage locals to walk or ride to the centre, community-focused public art projects, and the first Jamie’s Ministry of Food cooking school for NSW.
“International research has found shopping centres integrating green principles are not only more energy and water-efficient, but can also generate higher sales,” Schroder said. “This coupled with the genuine savings that we can pass onto our retailers further influences the business case for turning green and how it can benefit everyone involved. Stockland is proud to be leading the sector in sustainability and investment in renewable energy.”
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