Energy Transition in Retail: Redevco and ENVIRIA Roll Out Solar Nationwide on Rooftops of Local Retail Centers

Frankfurt am Main, 29 April 2025 – Redevco Institutional GmbH and the solar company ENVIRIA are entering into a groundbreaking partnership to equip retail properties with photovoltaic systems. As part of a nationwide rollout, a total of 28 projects with a combined capacity of approximately 17,430 kWp are planned over the next two years. The systems will be installed on around 150,000 square meters of rooftop space – with about 79,000 square meters covered by PV modules. Annually, the installations will produce a total of 16.6 million kilowatt-hours of solar electricity, saving an impressive 7,951 tons of CO2. 

“We are making targeted investments in sustainability – and leveraging the opportunities offered by solar energy. Installing photovoltaics on our properties brings clear benefits to both our tenants and investors, in terms of ESG and financially,” explains Christoph Buck, Head of Asset Management RWP at Redevco Institutional GmbH.

The locations are spread across Germany – most of them classic retail parks that serve local communities. Redevco leases the rooftops of its properties to ENVIRIA. The solar systems are then installed and operated by the solar company. The generated solar electricity will primarily be made available to the on-site tenants, which not only lowers energy costs but also improves energy supply security. Around 50% of the electricity produced is expected to be consumed directly on-site. 

 The rollout will begin at the Indupark retail center in Dortmund, where the contract was signed on April 7, 2025. A photovoltaic system with a capacity of 2,300 kWp is planned for a total rooftop area of 20,000 square meters, with 10,566 square meters covered by PV modules. Construction is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025. This single project alone will generate 2.13 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually – saving 998 tons of CO2.

“The project portfolio with Redevco is a powerful example of how the energy transition can be scaled even in existing buildings,” says Melchior Schulze Brock, CEO of ENVIRIA. “Retail properties in particular offer tremendous, yet often underestimated, potential for solar energy thanks to their large rooftop areas and decentralized distribution. The real estate industry not only has the responsibility but also the opportunity to become the backbone of a sustainable energy supply. Redevco is taking a bold and strategically sound approach – and we’re excited to implement it together.”

The 28 projects involve properties from the Union Investment-managed funds “Redos Einzelhandel Deutschland I, II, and III” and will be rolled out gradually through 2027. The goal is to enhance commercial properties through sustainable solar energy production while meeting the expectations of investors, banks, and tenants. Additional projects are already in preparation.

Redevco is one of Europe’s leading privately-owned real estate managers, overseeing a portfolio valued at €9.5 billion as of January 1, 2025. The company is committed to building value for investors and enriching communities through transformative real estate. It offers specialist investment strategies focused on repurposing best-in-class high street retail into mixed-use assets, investing in retail parks & logistics and growing our presence in the residential & living space. In addition, Redevco Capital Partners focuses on special situations opportunities and our real estate debt arm provides transitional lending solutions. Expert real estate teams in seven locations across Europe ensure that the portfolios Redevco manages optimally reflect the needs of our clients. 

For more information visit www.redevco.com.

ENVIRIA makes it radically easy for companies to switch to solar energy. The startup takes on the financing, planning, installation and operation of solar systems, as well as the integration of charging stations and energy storage. Solar systems can be purchased or rented. ENVIRIA also leases company rooftop areas, operates solar systems on them and markets green electricity. With more than 200 employees, ENVIRIA has implemented more than 500 commercial projects since it was founded in 2017. 

www.enviria.energy