- Liberty Two Degrees (L2D), a division of Standard Bank Group, will boast the largest registered rooftop solar installation in the country.
- The installation is at Eastgate Shopping Centre, one of L2Ds’ superregional assets, and is scheduled for completion in Q3 2024.
Eastgate embarked on its journey to environmental leadership in 2020 with the commissioning of the first phase of its solar system, marking a significant commitment to sustainable energy practices.
The first phase involved a one megwatt (MW) or 1.219 megawatt-peak (MWp) solar power installation, saving 1 910 megawatt hours (MWh) in 2023.
The second phase saw the mall expand its renewable energy capacity with a 5MW or 5.997 MWp installation, totalling nearly 13 675 solar panels. This generates 35.04% of Eastgate’s daily energy needs, making it the largest registered rooftop installation with a combined output of 6MW or 7.216 MWp in solar power.
The solar installation spans nearly all of the mall’s roof space, covering an area of about 28 100m2. This energy is used to support the mall’s daily operations.
L2D says the development has brought several benefits to the mall and its customers, notably reducing Eastgate’s grid reliance and creating more shaded parking. New steel subframes were constructed on the rooftop to maintain existing parking. The new roof structure lacks sheeting or a launder system, with panels directly on steel purlins to allow water passage. Stormwater and drainage systems continue to function with waterproofing on the existing roof.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
