In addition to solar plants, energy storage has started to attract the interest of companies. Solar plants and energy storage are highly economically viable ways to develop business and reduce emissions. Retail Park Bredis, a multi-property shopping center in Espoo, Finland, is a pioneer in this field.
Solnet Group has installed a significant solar plant and energy storage system in Bredis. The properties have ample roof space for the solar power plant, as well as adequate space on the site for an electricity storage facility. Solnet Group has installed a solar power plant of about 0.5 MWp on the roofs of the Bredis properties already in 2020. The following year, Bredis and its solar power plant were extended.
Solar power plant generates about a quarter of Bredis' electricity consumption during the whole year. The quarter reduction in electricity bills and emissions is a significant benefit for the business. Indeed, the Bredis solar power plant has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by about 200 tonnes over its lifetime.
Additional revenue from balancing the frequency of the Finnish electricity grid
In addition to solar power, Solnet Group has installed an electricity storage facility on the property, which was commissioned in spring 2024. The electricity storage facility has a capacity and output of 1.4 MW / 1.6 MWh. The Bredis electricity storage facility is used in the reserve market of the grid operator Fingrid, meaning that the electricity storage facility contributes to balancing the frequency of the Finnish electricity system.
In the future, it is possible that, in addition to the electricity storage, Bredis' solar power plants will also be able to participate in Fingrid's reserve market through the Solnet Manager power plant service. This will allow solar power plants not only to reduce their electricity bills but also to bring additional revenue streams to their owners.
Secure the future with profitable investments
Solar power plants and electricity storage are economically viable investments. The return on investment in a solar power plant is typically in the order of 10-15% in the first year, with a technical lifetime of more than 30 years. With electricity storage, the return on investment can be as high as 20-30%, with a technical lifetime of around 10-15 years.
With the solar power plant and electricity storage, Retail Park Bredis is already prepared for the stringent requirements of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
If you are interested in batteries and solar power plants, please contact Arto Mustikkaniemi, arto.mustikkaniemi@solnet.group (energy storage) or Antti Lehmuskoske, antti.lehmuskoski@solnet.group (solar plants).
