Powering Retail Sustainability: Greenvolt Next UK and MDSR Drive Solar Innovation on UK Shopping Center Rooftops
Greenvolt Next UK, a leading provider of decentralized energy solutions, has entered a strategic partnership with MDSR Investments to install rooftop solar panels on two key UK shopping centers: Weston Favell in Northampton and Birchwood in Warrington. This initiative highlights a forward-thinking approach to sustainability in the commercial real estate sector by leveraging underutilized roof space to generate clean, renewable energy on-site.
The Weston Favell Shopping Centre will feature 848 solar panels across 4,114 square meters, with an installed capacity of 381 kWp, expected to supply approximately 26% of the center’s annual electricity needs by generating over 330,000 kWh of clean power. At Birchwood Shopping Centre, 452 panels covering 1,564 square meters will deliver 200 kWp capacity, producing around 154,000 kWh per year accounting for nearly 29% of its total energy consumption.
Financed through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), these projects allow MDSR to access affordable and sustainable energy solutions without any upfront capital investment. This arrangement supports MDSR’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions, with the combined installations projected to avoid over 145 tons of CO2 annually.
Owen Power, CEO of Greenvolt Next UK and Ireland, emphasized the opportunity presented by retail rooftops: “Shopping centers possess significant, adaptable roof space ideally suited for solar integration. These projects maximize renewable energy generation with minimal disruption, making efficient use of existing infrastructure.”
This collaboration builds on Greenvolt’s successful solar installation at MDSR’s Nova Arcada shopping center in Portugal, where a 1.2 MWp rooftop system has notably reduced grid electricity consumption and carbon emissions. As Greenvolt expands its solar and battery storage portfolio across the UK, this partnership represents a meaningful advancement in the commercial real estate sector’s transition to sustainable energy.
Through this initiative, Greenvolt Next UK and MDSR Investments demonstrate how strategic investments in renewable energy infrastructure can deliver tangible environmental benefits while supporting operational efficiencies, setting a strong precedent for sustainable development in the retail property market.
