Randridge Mall now has a solar power farm on its roof

Emira Property Fund has installed a R16 million solar farm on the roof of Randridge Mall.

This innovative project continues Emira’s drive to add more renewable energy solutions to its properties across South Africa as part of its sustainability strategy.

The photovoltaic (PV) solar farm, comprises of 10,900 panels and produces approximately 1.2mwh of electricity. This is the fund’s second solar installation and follows its successful solar power pilot project launched in 2015 at the Epson Downs Shopping Centre in Bryanston, which produces around 271kwp (kilowatt peak) and saves over 515,000kwh each year.

The new solar installation at Randridge Mall is set to save a massive 2gwh of electricity every year. It is estimated that over a period of 15 years, the solar farm will save Emira over R40 million on its electricity costs at the mall – not only a good investment but also very good for the environment.

Justin Bowen, development manager at Emira, said “Our pilot solar power project has proven a success and delivered real, tangible benefits that we are excited to extend to Randridge Mall. [While] driving down electricity consumption and costs, our increased use of renewable energy further reduces Emira’s carbon footprint.”

Installation of the solar farm began in March and it included a carport system of 550kwp, while the rest of the panels were roof mounted.

The solar PV installation began operating in May and intends to reduce Emira’s carbon footprint while delivering other benefits which range from cost savings to reassuring retailers and shoppers at each of Emira’s malls that they are engaged with an environmentally responsible and innovative company.

In conclusion, Bowen said, “We are assessing further opportunities for using on-site renewable energy generation and reducing electricity consumption at other properties, in the near future.”

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