Stockland celebrates success of largest rooftop solar system in Australia

Stockland, one of Australia’s largest diversified real estate groups and the most sustainable property company in the world^[1], today celebrated the success of its latest solar installation at Stockland Green Hills – the largest single rooftop solar system in Australia.

The $2.8 million solar system at Stockland Green Hills is currently the largest rooftop solar PV system in Australia, comprising 5,480 solar panels across a roof area of approximately 27,000 square metres. Since it was switched on in stages between April and June, it has already generated over 73,090kWh of energy for the centre, with the system on track to meet its target of 2,773,070 kWh per year.

To celebrate the success to date, Louise Mason, Group Executive and CEO Commercial Property at Stockland were joined by Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Hon. Mark Butler MP, and Federal Member for Paterson, Meryl Swanson MP for a rooftop tour.

Louise Mason, Group Executive and CEO Commercial Property at Stockland, said: “Stockland is proud to be leading the sector in sustainability and investment in renewable energy. Stockland Green Hills is a fantastic example of how Stockland is investing in a lower carbon energy future in order to create clean, secure and affordable energy for our retail centres.

“As part of our commitment to offering customers a more sustainable shopping experience, we chose to incorporate a number of innovative green principles into the $414 million shopping centre redevelopment at Stockland Green Hills, including free electric vehicle charging facilities, large scale rooftop solar and energy efficient lighting and air conditioning.

“We also considered sustainability beyond the rating tools, incorporating a number of important community facilities and amenities in this redevelopment and were extremely proud to have Stockland Green Hills receive a 5 Star Green Star – Design (Retail Centre) certified rating from the Green Building Council of Australia earlier this year.”

The 1.863 MW system has already significantly reduced the centre’s base building energy and greenhouse gas emissions, cutting peak electricity demand by 29 per cent and grid supplied electricity by 46.3 per cent. On average, the rooftop solar system is expected to generate approximately 2,770,000 kWh of renewable energy per year, enough to power 295 homes^[2].

The Federal Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon. Mark Butler MP, said, “The Stockland Green Hills solar installation is a showcase in state-of-the-art sustainability and a clear example of the benefits of transitioning to renewable energy. It has already reduced the centre’s electricity demand and carbon pollution. This is the clean energy future which is being embraced by businesses all around Australia. I congratulate Stockland on their national investment in solar power generation across its commercial property portfolio.”

The Federal Member for Paterson, Meryl Swanson MP, said “It’s great that companies like Stockland have chosen places like East Maitland to implement this forward-thinking technology. I’m incredibly proud to represent the community that is now home to one of the largest rooftop solar systems in Australia. Congratulation to Stockland on this initiative.”

The Green Hills installation forms part of Stockland’s national investment in solar power generation across its commercial property portfolio, setting a new standard for the industry. To date, Stockland has invested over $33 million in existing and planned solar power generation across 20 retail town centres and logistics centres around the country.

This investment in solar is expected to produce 24.9 GWh of energy every year, the equivalent to driving an electric car around the world 3,458 times. Upon completion, Stockland’s solar capacity is expected to exceed 18 MW by 2020, totalling over 48,000 solar panels that would cover over 14 rugby fields.

Rated as the most sustainable property company in the world by the 2018 Dow Jones Sustainability Index, Stockland owns and manages the most Green Star (Design & As Built) rated shopping centres in Australia and has Australia’s first retail portfolio with a Green Star Performance rating.