German retailer Lidl has opened its first ‘net zero’ emissions shop in the Netherlands, which is supplied with a solar system from BayWa RE.
The first official ‘Lidl Zero’ store, in Woerden, opened for business recently.
Lidl Netherlands’ Arnold Baas said: “A key objective of ‘Lidl Zero’ is that this pilot store benefits from a solar system, producing 100% of the store’s energy demand.
BayWa RE power solutions managing director Christof Thannbichler said: “To guarantee enough solar power to cover the store’s energy needs throughout the year, we carried out an extensive feasibility study including shade analysis, as the premises of the store boarders on a wooded area.
“Taking in all the data and criteria for this specific location, our expert team then designed a 290kW system on the store roof, and a separate car port structure to house an additional 257kW system. Furthermore, a DC fast charging point for electric cars has been set up on site as well.”
BayWa RE teamed up with a Dutch construction partner to install the car ports and subsequently the PV panels, using BayWa RE’s own roof mounting system.
BayWa RE has now completed photovoltaic projects in 10 European countries for the retail giant, which include battery storage systems, e-car charging infrastructure and carports.