The installation will be partly charged by Paarl Mall's new rooftop solar PV plant, extending the positive impacts of renewable sun-powered energy around the clock.

Growthpoint says that its R50-million investment in the system continues its push toward carbon neutrality by 2050.

This will provide sustainable, financially-viable energy solutions to clients and power its buildings with clean, renewable sources are key for Growthpoint's ESG targets.

The group adds that over more than a decade, Growthpoint has installed 13.5MW of solar power across its South Africa portfolio, but this is the first time it is integrating a large battery system.

"Battery technology has come a long way in recent years. Previously prohibitively expensive, batteries have become increasingly affordable, especially considering rapidly rising electricity prices and our imperative to help prevent costly business disruptions for our clients caused by load-shedding," says Grahame Cruickshanks, Growthpoint head of sustainability and utilities.

According to Growthpoint, it's 60 000 m2 Paarl Mall is an ideal pilot site to prove how a sizeable battery system linked to a solar plant improves the environmental performance of large shopping centres and lowers the cost of energy.

Paarl Mall recently undertook an energy-efficient H-VAC upgrade to lower its electricity consumption. Despite substantial energy savings, the centre's electricity bill was set to hike a hefty R5-million a year because the mall's decreased load factor meant it only qualified for a more expensive municipal electricity tariff, says the mall.

In light of this, Growthpoint adds that it needed to tailor a new solution to provide green energy to the entire mall while ensuring a consistent power supply and optimising energy costs.

Growthpoint's retail and sustainability teams partnered with energy engineers Terra Firma Solutions and Anderson Consulting Engineers. The Drakenstein Municipality adopted a proactive approach by providing the mall with the time needed to find the right energy-saving solution.

Boasting more than 5 000 PV panels with a direct current capacity of 2.5 megawatts-peak and generating 3 601 500 kilowatt hours of energy annually, Paarl Mall's new rooftop solar plant will span a massive 25 000 m2, says the group.

Its sealed-container 4.5MW battery bank battery system, comprising three 20-foot containers with lithium-ion batteries, will be charged from both the mall's solar power and the grid.

The system's operation, production and yield will be monitored and managed offsite with the aim of optimal energy arbitrage, a technique where power is bought during off-peak hours, stored and used during peak hours.

This enables peak-shaving that flattens the electrical load profile of the building. The system has also been designed to accommodate some of the mall's demands during load shedding.

"Proving the concept and technology would provide a big push in the right direction towards our carbon reduction targets. We are hoping to onboard more malls with this solution to future-proof our assets, protect them from load-shedding and optimise energy costs," adds Neil Schloss, Growthpoint's head of asset management in retail.

"With our clean, uninterrupted energy initiative at Paarl Mall, we are striving to create a win-win for the mall, its community, the country and the planet. It is all about coming together and finding cooperative solutions for shared and sustainable long-term gains," says Schloss.

While the retail sector is best suited to this type of grid-tied integrated solar and battery system, Growthpoint sees potential value in using it at suitable properties across all its assets.

"We want to push the boundaries on the range of energy solutions available for our properties and our clients, expand our mix of energy sources and storage and boost the supply of renewables to our assets as part of our proactive energy management," concludes Cruickshanks.

Growthpoint concludes that it would, in principle, be willing to sell excess solar energy it produces at Paarl Mall, but more clarity is needed on local wheeling arrangements before this option can be given serious consideration. For now, it is focused on bringing affordable clean energy to the centre, ensuring continuity of operations and providing significant relief to the national power grid.

The project's four-month installation will begin in August and the system is expected to be commissioned in early December. It should be fully operational by mid-December.

For more information, visit www.growthpoint.co.za. Individuals can also follow Growthpoint on Facebook or on Twitter.