Image: WBHO
The biggest shopping mall on the continent, Mall of Africa, is set to unveil the largest rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system in the southern hemisphere.
Located in Midrand, in the Gauteng province, the mall’s new system will be a first for the region, with the record-breaking project being said to be the world’s largest integrated rooftop PV/Diesel hybrid solution.
Owned by partners Attacq Limited (80 percent) and Atterbury Property (20 percent), Mall of Africa offers over 130 000m² of retail space.
The 4755kWp project which covers mall’s roof space – an estimated 45 000 m² – will generate energy that will power the mall’s daily operations.
“This project will see the mall produce sufficient power to support its day to day electricity requirements while also decreasing its overall carbon footprint – another significant proof point in our sustainability journey,” said Head of Retail Asset Management at Attacq, Michael Clampett.
Producing 7 800 MWh annually, the project will contribute to the integration of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix, support local economic growth and have positive environmental impacts.
“Solareff and Attacq successfully worked through the lengthy legal process, together with Nersa and Eskom, to ensure full legal compliance for this solution – the first of its size in South Africa,”said Solareff CEO Jaco Botha.
Having played an integral role in the installation of the solar PV system, Atterbury Property said that this system is the first of many that it plans to install in their buildings.
