How can commercial centers save operating costs with solar PV?

In recent years, with rising energy costs and the promotion of sustainable development, more and more commercial centers have begun to focus on solar photovoltaic power generation to reduce operating costs and enhance brand image. Head commercial bodies such as Beijing SKP and Shanghai Globalport have taken the lead in completing PV transformation, successfully realizing a double breakthrough in operating cost optimization and brand value enhancement.

So, how can commercial centers achieve energy saving and cost reduction through PV power generation? We conduct a comprehensive analysis of the modes and cases of solar PV projects.

Innovative Model of PV+Commercial Complex

The photovoltaic renovation project of 23 Wanda Plazas nationwide completed by China Wanda Group in 2022 has created a benchmark case of green transformation of commercial real estate. Taking Wuhan Chuhehan Street Wanda Plaza as an example, the 8.6MW photovoltaic array laid on its 58,000 square meters of rooftop space generates 9.6 million degrees of clean power annually, accounting for 41% of the total power consumption of the shopping mall. Through the mode of “self-generation and self-consumption + residual power on-grid”, it saves 3.85 million yuan in electricity expenses annually and shortens the investment return cycle to 4.8 years.

Wanda Commercial Plaza Rooftop Distributed Photovoltaic Project

Introduction of PV cases in the whole scenario

1. Rooftop PV Matrix

Rooftops can not only be used for installing PV power generation systems, but can also be combined with commercial development, realizing the double benefits of “PV+Commercial”.

Shenzhen Wanxiang Tiandi adopts monocrystalline silicon double-glass modules, and with the intelligent cleaning robot system, the power generation efficiency is increased to 23.5%.

Ningbo Wanda Plaza cooperates with Carbon Silver Energy to build a distributed photovoltaic power station with an installed capacity of 5MWp and a total investment of about 20 million RMB. After the project is put into operation, it can generate 5 million kWh of electricity per year, and is expected to generate 120 million kWh of electricity in 20 years. The system not only reduces dependence on the power grid, but also saves a lot of electricity costs every year, while reducing 40,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, helping the environment.

Similarly, a number of commercial buildings in Canberra, Australia, have widely adopted photovoltaic systems. For example, by installing solar panels, a shopping mall has saved up to 40% of its annual electricity bill and shortened its payback cycle to 2-3 years.

2. Facade PV curtain wall

The BIPV glass curtain wall at Taikoo Li on the Bund in Shanghai not only ensures the lighting needs of the stores, but also generates 820,000 kWh of electricity annually.

3. Carport Photovoltaic System

Some commercial centers have adopted the “rooftop photovoltaic + electric vehicle charging” model to further attract consumers and enhance the competitiveness of commercial venues. For example, some shopping centers set up EV charging stations under PV carports to attract more green travelers, improve the utilization rate of parking lots, and sell charging services at the same time.

For example, IFS shopping mall in Chengdu, Sichuan Province has a 75% coverage rate of PV carports to meet the power demand of 500 charging piles.

4. Energy Storage System Support

In many commercial centers around the world, intelligent PV management systems have become an important means of optimizing power usage.

Canberra's commercial PV system can realize the accurate matching of power production and consumption through the intelligent energy management platform, ensuring the priority use of solar energy during peak power consumption, reducing the amount of power purchased from the grid and increasing the self-generation and self-consumption rate.

Hangzhou Wanxiang City Photovoltaic Project

Hangzhou Wanxiang City is equipped with 2MWh of energy storage equipment, realizing peak and valley tariff arbitrage and increasing annual revenue by 1.2 million yuan.

Summarize

Solar photovoltaic power generation has become an important way for commercial centers to reduce costs and enhance brand competitiveness. Whether it is pure rooftop photovoltaic power generation, or combined with the commercial space optimization of the “PV +” mode, it can bring long-term economic and social benefits.

If your commercial center hasn't considered solar PV, now may be the best time to do so! Want to learn how to customize a PV solution that works for you? Contact us to find out how we can customize a PV solution that works for you, and how we can help you bring more cost-effective ways to operate your commercial center!