Inauguration of Germany’s largest PV rooftop installation

Two solar rooftop installations are involved – one with around 6 MWp and another on the second building with around 12 MWp, which is Germany's largest solar rooftop installation. In total, the two installations equal an area of 14 football fields with 43,000 installed photovoltaic modules with a total capacity of 18 MWp. The companies are thus making a significant contribution to the promotion of renewable energies and the implementation of the ambitious climate goals of the North Rhine-Westphalian government.

Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy and Deputy Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia: "Germany's largest rooftop photovoltaic system is now located here in Marl in the Ruhr region. As a lighthouse project, this cooperation is exemplary for the sustainable energy generation of the future and for the accelerated expansion of solar energy here in North Rhine-Westphalia. Inexpensive, locally produced electricity is now a key location factor for companies and a key for our state on the way to becoming the first climate-neutral industrial region in Europe."

The photovoltaic system will generate enough green energy to meet METRO LOGISTICS' own needs at the site and feed surplus energy into the grid. In addition, the entire building complex has already been awarded the Gold Certificate of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB). METRO LOGISTICS, as the operator of the property, has strong partners on its side in Goodman as an international property group and BayWa r.e. as a developer, service and solution provider in the field of renewable energies.

Christof Prange, Managing Director of Goodman Germany GmbH, emphasises: "We are consistently expanding capacities for the generation of green energy and thus making our contribution to a rapid energy turnaround. The 18 MWp we operate in Marl is roughly equivalent to the electricity needs of 5,100 households". Günter Haug, COO at BayWa r.e., adds: "Large industrial and commercial real estate groups like Goodman play a key role in helping companies to optimally use their large roof areas to generate renewable energy. This flagship project serves as an important example and showcase for industrial and logistics companies that want to make a real difference when it comes to sustainability."

For METRO as an international wholesaler, climate protection is of particular importance in many areas. With 102 stores in Germany alone, the challenges are manifold, for example in areas of renewal of the heating infrastructure, the conversion of cooling systems to natural coolants as well as an expansion of the electric vehicle fleet and the increased use of photovoltaic systems. Christiane Giesen, Chief People & Culture Officer, Labour Director and Member of the Management Board of METRO AG: "The commissioning of the PV plant in Marl is an important step for our climate strategy. METRO has set itself the goal in 2021 to consistently reduce its carbon footprint worldwide and to be completely climate neutral in its own business operations by 2040. An ambitious goal - but with good partners and the right framework conditions from the political side, we are confident that we will achieve this goal and make our contribution to more climate protection."


Copyright image: Goodman