The Düsseldorf-based developer of solar roof systems Sunrock is equipping several buildings of the car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz with large photovoltaic generators. The company is installing solar systems with a total output of 23 megawatts at several of the car manufacturer's German sites. The projects are to be realised within the next two years.
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The pipeline includes systems at the German Mercedes-Benz sites in Rastatt, Kuppenheim, Sindelfingen, Kamenz, Untertürkheim, Bremen and Kölleda. Installation of the first systems in Rastatt and Sindelfingen began at the end of 2023. The solar generator in Kuppenheim is also already planned. Here, Sunrock will use solar modules manufactured in Germany by Meyer Burger.
Local corporate PPA concluded
Mercedes-Benz will not be operating the systems itself. Instead, Sunrock is concluding direct corporate power purchase agreements (CPPAs) with the car manufacturer so that the electricity can be used directly on site. Sunrock is thus supporting the car manufacturer in implementing its plans to expand renewable energies at its own production sites in Germany, emphasise the Düsseldorf-based company's planners.
Switching to renewables by 2039
Mercedes-Benz's strategy is to use 100 per cent renewable energy at all production sites worldwide by 2039, says Arno van der Merwe, Head of Production Planning at Mercedes-Benz, outlining the strategy. ‘The expansion of photovoltaic systems plays an important role in this. By turning our own production sites into production sites for renewable energies, we are making an active contribution to the energy transition in Germany,’ says van der Merwe.
Previously mainly equipping logistics properties
This is Sunrock's first collaboration with a major car manufacturer. So far, it has mainly been logistics companies that have worked with the Düsseldorf-based company in this area. In 2023, Sunrock equipped a site of the transport and logistics company DSV in Möckmühl in Baden-Württemberg with a solar system.
Also interesting: Combining solar with a green roof
Sunrock also installed a photovoltaic system with an output of 3.45 megawatts on the roof of Delta Development's new logistics property in Dorsten, North Rhine-Westphalia. This has enabled the jeans manufacturer Levis to use green electricity at the property since April 2024 and reduce its carbon footprint by over 1,300 tonnes per year. In Unna, North Rhine-Westphalia, Sunrock realised a photovoltaic system with an output of almost two megawatts for Panattoni, the leading developer of industrial, logistics and commercial properties in Europe. (su/mfo)
