The photovoltaic system with an output of 73 kWp consists of 168 panels and will generate around 70,000 kWh of energy per year in future. The Wels shopping center is thus taking another important step towards sustainability. At the same time, all three Upper Austrian shopping malls operated by SES Spar European Shopping Centers (WEBERZEILE Ried, VARENA Vöcklabruck, MAX.CENTER Wels) now have a total of around 12,740 sq m of pioneering photovoltaic systems. PV systems with a total of over 20,000 sq m have now been installed at seven SES malls throughout Austria.
“With the commissioning of the photovoltaic system at MAX.CENTER, we as SES have taken a big step towards our climate target of making 50 percent of available roof space usable for photovoltaics, says Christoph Andexlinger, CEO SES Spar European Shopping Centers. “By early 2024, we will be operating a total of 45,000 sq m of photovoltaic space in our centers in Austria, Italy and Slovenia. A very good basis on which we will continue to drive forward our sustainability initiatives.”
MAX.CENTER: Environmental protection as a regional responsibility
MAX.CENTER has been consistently focusing on energy efficiency, proactive climate protection and alternative energy sources for many years. For example, the center’s ventilation systems are cooled with groundwater, the air conditioning works in an energy-efficient manner adapted to the number of visitors in the mall and the lighting uses economical LED technology. Since 2019, the center has been working with an energy management system in accordance with ISO 50001:2018, which is certified by TÜV AUSTRIA. 14 e-charging stations, an e-scooter parking lot with a rental system, connections to the public transport network and the local cycle path system round off the environmental services on offer to customers. The photovoltaic system now installed on the canopy of the shopping center continues the consistent line of sustainable action.
“The new photovoltaic system on our canopy is another milestone in MAX.CENTER’s sustainability activities,” adds Doris Panagl, Center Manager MAX.CENTER. “We use 100 percent of the energy ourselves and now cover part of our total consumption completely autonomously. Together with all other measures, we are once again demonstrating our responsibility for the region in which we live and work.”
Third PV system in Upper Austrian SES shopping center
The photovoltaic installation at MAX.CENTER is the third system installed by operator SES Spar European Shopping Centers in Upper Austria – the system at WEBERZEILE Ried went into operation in 2020 and the system at VARENA in Vöcklabruck was recently installed in September 2023. SES Spar European Shopping Centers invested over 40 million euros in photovoltaics, energy-reducing measures and the sustainable operation of its malls in 2023 alone. With the installation on the MAX.CENTER, SES now has a total output of 3,200 kilowatt peak at its Austrian locations alone.
2024: Seven SES Centers in Austria with photovoltaic systems
In Austria, six centers under SES management are currently producing environmentally friendly solar power for their own use: MURPARK Graz, WEBERZEILE Ried, MARIANDL Krems, CITYPARK Graz, VARENA Vöcklabruck and MAX.CENTER Wels. The ATRIO PV system in Villach will also go into operation in the next few days.
