Paunsdorf Center commissions Germany’s largest photovoltaic system on the roof of a shopping center

Nearly 2,700 modules on a total area of 10,000 sq m, the system is expected to produce 1.1 million kilowatt hours per year in the future – a volume roughly equivalent to the electricity consumption of 366 single-family homes – this will save about 528 tonnes of CO2. The project represents an important milestone on the way to the medium- and long-term goal of the operator and owner company URW – to reduce CO2 emissions along the entire value chain by 50 per cent by 2030, and by 90 per cent by 2050, compared to 2015.

At the inauguration event were Wolfram Günther, Saxony’s Minister of State for Energy, Climate Protection, Environment and Agriculture, Heiko Rosenthal, Mayor and Councillor for Environment, Climate, Public Order and Sport of the City of Leipzig, and Dr Maik Piehler, Managing Director of Stadtwerke Leipzig. From the host Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW), Andreas Hohlmann, Managing Director Austria & Germany, and Rainer Borst, Centre Manager of Paunsdorf Center.

(From left to right: Heiko Rosenthal, Andreas Hohlmann, Dr. Maik Piehler, Wolfram Günther und Rainer Borst. Photo Credit: URW)

Andreas Hohlmann, Managing Director Austria & Germany at URW, says: “Through the consistent implementation of our sustainability strategy ‘Better Places’, we are continuously working on saving emissions and steadily improving the energy efficiency of our retail and leisure destinations. Our company has just recently expanded its sustainability ambitions and targets and has once again focused the entire strategy more strongly on environmental protection and social responsibility. The new photovoltaic system here at Paunsdorf Center is an important step towards a sustainable future. Local partnerships, such as the cooperation with Stadtwerke Leipzig, are an essential component for successful implementation. We are very pleased about the commissioning of the plant here at the Leipzig site.“

Wolfram Günther, Saxony’s Minister of State for Energy, Climate Protection, Environment and Agriculture: “There is enormous potential for energy generation through photovoltaics on shopping centres, on industrial and administrative buildings, above large car parks, but also on the roofs of residential buildings. With all the advantages for decentralised power supply, for the use of very inexpensive own electricity and with a view to avoiding conflicts that arise, for example, with the use of ground-mounted systems. And of course the expansion of photovoltaics also has a great economic benefit for our solar industry in Saxony and central Germany. I am pleased that the L-Gruppe is once again leading the way in climate protection and the energy transition and underlining Leipzig’s status as a pioneer in the construction of new photovoltaic plants. And I am pleased about the commitment of the centre operator, who is investing in the future here.”

Heiko Rosenthal, Mayor and Councillor for the Environment, Climate, Public Order and Sport of the City of Leipzig, adds: “In my capacity as Mayor and Councillor for the Environment and Climate Protection in Leipzig, I am extremely pleased to be able to celebrate the completion of Germany’s largest photovoltaic system on the roof of a shopping centre here at Paunsdorf Center together with Leipziger Stadtwerke today. This milestone supports our joint commitment to green energy in our city.”

Dr Maik Piehler, Managing Director of Stadtwerke Leipzig: “As a municipal utility, we are particularly committed to the issues of sustainability and energy efficiency. That is why we are pleased to promote them within the free economy as well. Paunsdorf Center has recognised that investing in the plant means investing in the climate, the location and its own profitability. Even beyond that, the centre is committed to establishing renewable energies, promoting electromobility and its long-standing partnership with local green power suppliers. As a trustworthy partner, we will be happy to accompany the centre’s management every step of the way in the future as well.”

The figures for the photovoltaic system:
•Area: 10.000 sq m
•Number of solar modules: 2.682
•Annual electricity yield: 1,100,000 kWh (is about the electricity consumption of 366 single-family homes).
•Own consumption: 845,000 kWh (corresponds to 30% of the total electricity consumption of the public areas of Paunsdorf Center)
•Power: 1.100 kW/p
•Saved Emissions: 528.000 kg CO2