The Glen Shopping Centre has taken a significant step towards a more sustainable future with the completion of a large-scale solar energy project.

The development aims to reduce the centre’s reliance on the national electricity grid, lowering operating costs, and supporting its long-term sustainability and environmental objectives.

The project reflects the shopping centre’s commitment to sustainability, operational resilience and responsible environmental management.

Five months of construction

Construction of the solar expansion project began on January 12 of this year and was completed on June 5.

The work, carried out by Solareff, took approximately five months and included construction, electrical integration, testing and commissioning.

The completed installation now forms one of the largest commercial solar systems in the region.

As part of the latest phase, 5 300 high-efficiency 605W solar panels were installed. Together with an earlier phase of development, The Glen now operates with a total of 7 823 solar panels.

Unlike traditional rooftop solar systems, the installation makes use of specially constructed solar carports above sections of the shopping centre’s parking areas. In addition to generating renewable energy, the structures provide shaded parking for visitors.

The solar installation has a maximum AC capacity of approximately 2.8 megawatts and is expected to generate around 5 300 megawatt-hours of clean electricity each year.

Based on the mall’s energy requirements, the system is expected to provide between 30% and 35% of its annual electricity needs, while supplying an even greater share of daytime energy demand.

Supporting a broader sustainability vision

The environmental impact of the project is expected to be substantial. By generating clean energy on-site, the system will reduce dependence on electricity produced from fossil fuels.

The installation is expected to prevent more than 5 450 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year while reducing coal consumption by more than 2 980 tonnes annually.

These reductions represent an important contribution to lowering the shopping centre’s environmental footprint.

The solar project forms part of The Glen’s broader sustainability strategy and commitment to responsible retail operations.

During construction, the project created employment opportunities across a range of sectors, including electrical installation, civil works, logistics and construction.

Local community members were among those who benefited from the work generated by the development.

Educational opportunities for the community

The Glen believes both shoppers and tenants will respond positively to the initiative, as it demonstrates a commitment to more efficient and environmentally responsible operations.

While the solar installation is connected to the electricity grid and does not provide power during outages or load-shedding events, it remains an important investment in energy efficiency, cost savings and sustainability.

The Glen also sees the installation as a valuable educational resource. The shopping centre has expressed its willingness to host school groups, technical institutions and community organisations interested in learning more about renewable energy technologies and how they can be integrated into existing infrastructure.

Looking to the future

Although there are no plans to expand the solar system, The Glen says it remains committed to exploring new green technologies and sustainability initiatives in the future.

Over the next decade, the project is expected to deliver ongoing financial savings, reduce environmental impact and demonstrate how large commercial facilities can successfully adopt renewable energy solutions on a significant scale.

Glen Maboe, the Glen Shopping Centre general manager, said the project represents an important milestone in the centre’s sustainability journey.

“Creating a better tomorrow requires a shared commitment to innovation, collaboration and responsible growth. This project is just one step in our journey, and we look forward to continuing to explore initiatives that make a lasting difference for our communities and for generations to come,” he said.