Spring has come in Wels: Recently the sun literally rose when the go-ahead was given for starting up the new photovoltaic system at the MAX.CENTER in Wels. The solar power plant covers 340 square metres on the projecting roof, and will immediately contribute to covering the electricity consumed by the MAX.CENTER. The photovoltaic system with a capacity of 73 kWp consists of 168 panels, and in future will generate around 70,000 kWh of energy a year. So the Wels Shopping Center is taking a further important step towards sustainability. At the same time, all three Upper Austrian shopping malls operated by SES Spar European Shopping Centers (WEBERZEILE Ried, VARENA Vöcklabruck, MAX.CENTER Wels) now have around 12,740 square metres in total of futuristic PV equipment. In Austria as a whole, PV systems have already been installed on seven SES malls, covering over 20,000 square metres in total.

Christoph Andexlinger, CEO SES Spar European Shopping Centers:
“By putting the photovoltaic system at the MAX.CENTER into operation, at SES we have come a large step closer to our climate goal of making 50 percent of the available roof space usable for photovoltaics. As of the start of 2024 we operate 45,000 square metres of photovoltaic areas in total on our centres in Austria, Italy and Slovenia. A very good basis, on which we will continue to forge ahead with our sustainability initiatives.”

MAX.CENTER: Protecting the environment is a regional responsibility
The MAX.CENTER has already consistently backed energy efficiency, proactive climate protection and alternative energy sources for many years. For example, the ventilation systems of the centre are cooled with groundwater, the climate control works energy-efficiently and is adjusted to the visitor numbers in the mall, and the lighting uses economical LED technology. Since 2019 the centre has been using an energy management system in accordance with ISO 50001:2018, which is certified by TÜV AUSTRIA. 14 E-charging stations, a parking lot for electric scooters including a rental system, and the links to the public transportation network and the local cycle path system all supplement the services we offer our customers in terms of the environment. The photovoltaic system that has now been constructed on the projecting roof of the shopping centre continues the consistent approach of our sustainability activities.

Doris Panagl, Center Manager MAX.CENTER:
“The new photovoltaic system on our projecting roof is a further milestone in the sustainability activities of the MAX.CENTER. We use 100 percent of this energy ourselves, and now cover a part of our total consumption fully autonomously. Together with all our other actions, we are once again demonstrating our responsibility for the region in which we live and work.”

Third PV system in an Upper Austrian SES Shopping Center
The photovoltaic installation at the MAX.CENTER is the third system in total in Upper Austria for the operator SES Spar European Shopping Centers – the system in the WEBERZEILE Ried began operation in 2020, and just recently, in September 2023, so did the system at the VARENA in Vöcklabruck. In 2023 alone, SES Spar European Shopping Centers invested over EUR 40 million in photovoltaics, energy-reduction measures and the sustainable operation of its malls. With the system at the MAX.CENTER, SES now has a total capacity of 3,200 kilowatt peak at its Austrian locations alone.

2024: Seven SES Centers in Austria with photovoltaic systems
To date, six centres in Austria under SES management have been producing environment-friendly solar power for their own consumption: MURPARK Graz, WEBERZEILE Ried, Mariandl Krems, CITYPARK Graz, VARENA Vöcklabruck and MAX.CENTER Wels. The PV system at ATRIO in Villach is also currently being put into operation.