Retail real estate in transition‍

Photovoltaics on retail properties offer enormous potential here. Large roof areas make it possible to generate electricity directly on site — but planning and implementation are rarely trivial, especially when it comes to mature building structures. The retail park in Dortmund-Aplerbeck is an example of how even complex existing properties can be successfully used for the energy revolution.

Dortmund-Aplerbeck as an example of sophisticated PV projects

With the retail park in Dortmund-Aplerbeck, GIGA.GREEN is implementing a project that highlights the challenges of modern retail properties. A photovoltaic system is being built on the roofs of the plant with 2,860 kWp of installed capacity and a total of 6,286 modules. As a result, around 1,005 tons of CO₂ saved.

However, the special feature of the location lies less in the size of the plant than in the complexity of implementation. The building ensemble has grown over the years and has a variety of different roof structures. At the same time, several tenants share the property, which requires a correspondingly differentiated energy supply.

As an investor in the region, GIGA.GREEN is responsible for the planning and implementation of the plant — from the technical analysis of the roof areas to the integration of the energy supply for the various users of the site. From initial analysis to ongoing operation: GIGA.GREEN implements photovoltaic systems as an investor and takes over the complete implementation on site. Through our Solar-as-a-Service model, this location benefits from inexpensive energy — without investment costs and without maintenance costs. We take care of planning, financing and operation. For our customer, this means stable, predictable energy costs, significant cost savings and a measurably better CO₂ balance sheet.

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Solution: Direct solar power for several users on site

The PV system generates electricity directly on the roof of the retail park and enables efficient use on site. Especially for properties with multiple tenants, this model offers a decisive advantage: Energy is produced where it is needed.

However, implementation required particularly careful planning. The key challenges included:

• Complex building structures: The static conditions of the buildings, which had grown over the years, had to be analysed in detail and adapted for the installation of the system.
• Roof condition and green roof areas: In addition to the remaining lifespan of the roof covering, the existing green roof in particular played an important role in the planning.
• Multiple pantographs: The large number of tenants with their own meters required precise coordination of energy distribution.
• Roof structures and interference fields: Entrances, emergency exits and technical structures lead over parts of the roof and significantly reduce the usable area.
• VdS compliance and safety requirements: Large areas had to be planned as safety distances, which further limited the usable PV area.
• Airport location factor: The building is located on the approach path of Dortmund Airport, which required glare analyses and additional tests.

It is precisely this wide range of requirements that shows that the implementation of photovoltaics on existing properties is often not a standard project, but requires detailed planning, technical expertise and experience with complex real estate structures.

Conclusion: Complex sites tap into new energy potential

The retail park in Dortmund-Aplerbeck shows the potential of existing retail properties — even when the initial situation is complex. The combination of technical analysis, precise planning and locally generated energy supply creates a model that offers both ecological and economic benefits.

With projects like this, GIGA.GREEN is actively driving forward the transformation of retail properties — and shows how even demanding locations can become important components of the energy revolution.