Retail Shopping Center Case Study - Solar Yetu | 300kW Solar Installation Success

Project Overview

A premier shopping mall in Mombasa, housing over 100 retail stores, restaurants, and entertainment facilities, was facing escalating electricity costs that were impacting their operational budget and tenant satisfaction.

Solar Yetu designed and implemented a comprehensive 300kW solar system across the mall's rooftop and parking structures. The solution was engineered to maximize energy generation during peak business hours while maintaining the aesthetic appeal of the shopping center.

The installation was completed in phases to ensure minimal disruption to mall operations and tenant businesses. The system now generates approximately 60% of the mall's daily electricity needs, with excess energy fed back to the grid for additional revenue.

Key Results

The solar installation has delivered exceptional results, significantly improving the mall's financial performance and environmental footprint.

300kW

System Size

2M+

Annual Savings (KES)

Payback Years

60%

Energy Independence

Project Details

Comprehensive information about the shopping center solar installation project.

Client Profile

Premier shopping destination in Mombasa with high foot traffic and diverse retail offerings.

Industry: Retail & Entertainment
Location: Mombasa, Kenya
Facility Size: 150,000 sq ft
Tenants: 100+ stores
Daily Visitors: 10,000+
Operating Hours: 10am - 10pm

System Specifications

Custom-designed solar system optimized for retail environment requirements.

System Size: 300kW
Solar Panels: 900 x 335W monocrystalline
Inverters: 6 x 50kW string inverters
Mounting: Rooftop & carport structures
Monitoring: Advanced real-time system
Warranty: 25 years on panels, 10 years on inverters

Performance Metrics

Consistent high performance with excellent energy generation throughout the year.

Daily Production: 1,200 - 1,500 kWh
Annual Production: 450,000 kWh
Capacity Factor: 82%
CO2 Offset: 300 tons/year
System Uptime: 99.2%
Peak Generation: 12pm - 4pm

Financial Impact

Significant cost savings with attractive return on investment.

Initial Investment: KES 24M
Monthly Savings: KES 180,000
Annual Savings: KES 2.16M
Payback Period: 4 years
25-Year Savings: KES 54M
ROI: 25% annually

Installation Process

Strategic phased installation to minimize business disruption.

Site Assessment: 2 weeks
Design & Engineering: 3 weeks
Permits & Approvals: 3 weeks
Installation: 8 weeks (phased)
Commissioning: 1 week
Total Project Duration: 12 weeks

Environmental Benefits

Significant contribution to environmental sustainability and green retail initiatives.

CO2 Reduction: 300 tons/year
Equivalent to: Planting 5,000 trees
Water Saved: 1.2M liters/year
Coal Not Burned: 120 tons/year
Green Certification: LEED Points
Marketing Value: Enhanced brand image

Client Testimonial

What the shopping center management has to say about their solar installation.

"Installing solar with Solar Yetu has been one of our best business decisions. The 300kW system has reduced our electricity costs by over KES 2 million annually, allowing us to offer more competitive rents to our tenants. The installation was seamless, with no disruption to our operations. Our customers appreciate our commitment to sustainability, and we've seen increased foot traffic from environmentally conscious shoppers. The system has paid for itself in just 4 years, and we're now looking to expand it further."

Amina Hassan

General Manager, Mombasa Shopping Center

Retail Shopping Center Solar Installation