Through all-day contact with solar radiation, the roof provides ideal conditions for the production of solar electricity. A total of 1,272 panels with an installed capacity of almost 500 kWp will provide Aupark with an estimated annual electricity production of 550 MWh.
"High energy prices significantly reduce the return on investment in photovoltaic installations. However, in addition to the economic side, the impact on the environment and the continuous reduction of dependence on non-renewable energy sources are also important to us. At 550 MWh, this is the equivalent of the consumption of approximately one hundred thousand cubic meters of natural gas, 250 tons of CO2 and hundreds of kilograms of other emissions that would be generated annually in the production of electricity from this commodity, "says Lukáš Palaščák from WOOD & Company, which Aupark co-owns with Unibail -Rodamco-Westfield.
Sustainable operation
In the case of Aupark, which has a leasable area of 60,000 square meters and 231 business units, this is another step in the strategy of sustainable operation. The center has held the BREEAM In-Use certificate at the Double Excellent level since 2014. The BREEAM certificate, first awarded in 1990 in the United Kingdom, is currently considered one of the most prestigious building sustainability assessment systems.
At Aupark, its high rating reflects the systematic application of a number of environmental measures, such as the use of sanitary facilities with low or no water consumption, the installation of low-energy LED lighting, the purchase of electricity with 100% renewable production or cooperation with sustainable fashion brands.
In addition to the Aupark shopping center, which WOOD & Company co-owns with the Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield group, the group's Slovak real estate portfolio also includes the Aupark Tower, Lakeside Park, BBC5, BBC1, BBC1 Plus and Westend Tower office buildings in Bratislava.
Current topic of renewable energy sources
The installation of photovoltaic panels is therefore also a topic for WOOD & Company Real Estate, the real estate branch of the WOOD & Company group.
"We perceive that the topic of photovoltaics and other renewable energy sources has become even more topical in recent months and, moreover, more economically rational. That is why we are intensively discussing the wider use within our portfolio. Finally, several buildings, such as Aupark Tower or Lakeside Park, already draw green electricity exclusively from renewable sources. We want to continue this trend, ”says Martin Šmigura, Investment Director of WOOD & Company, who is responsible for the group's real estate activities in Slovakia.
