Through a collaborative effort involving property group Goodman, renewable energy company BayWa r.e., and wholesaler METRO, Germany’s largest solar rooftop plant was unveiled at the METRO logistics site in Marl.
This initiative includes two solar rooftop installations, one with approximately 6 MWp and the other on the second building with around 12 MWp, making it the largest in Germany. Combined, these installations cover an area equivalent to 14 football fields and boast 43,000 photovoltaic modules with a total capacity of 18 MWp. This effort advances the promotion of renewable energies and aligns with 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, said “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 green energy to fulfill METRO LOGISTICS’ on-site requirements and surplus energy will be supplied to the grid. Furthermore, the entire building complex has achieved the Gold Certificate from the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB). As the property operator, METRO LOGISTICS benefits from strong partnerships with Goodman, an international property group, and BayWa r.e., a developer and solutions provider in renewable energies.
For METRO, a global wholesaler, climate protection holds significant importance across various fronts. Managing 102 stores in Germany presents diverse challenges, including renovating heating infrastructure, transitioning cooling systems to natural coolants, expanding the electric vehicle fleet, and increasing the adoption of photovoltaic systems.
Christof Prange, Managing Director of Goodman Germany GmbH, emphasized, “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., added, “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.”
Christiane Giesen, Chief People & Culture Officer, Labour Director and Member of the Management Board of METRO AG, noted, “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.”
