Nearly 1,000 kWp of rooftop panels now power the London mall’s on-site needs
As part of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield’s commitment to accelerating the transition to a net zero future, we were pleased to host a Revo study tour at Westfield London, welcoming 26 professionals from across the real estate sector, including specialists in asset management, law, sustainability, architecture and biodiversity.
The tour offered an insight into one of the UK’s largest rooftop solar installations on an operational retail destination. More notably, it provided an opportunity to share the practical realities, strategic thinking and lessons learned behind delivering renewable energy projects at scale within complex mixed-use assets.
At URW, sustainability is embedded across the business through Better Places, our roadmap for creating more sustainable, resilient destinations and supporting the environmental transition of cities. We have committed to ambitious carbon reduction targets aligned with a science-based pathway to net zero. Alongside renewable electricity procurement since opening, we continue to focus on reducing energy consumption through efficiency measures and expanding renewable energy on-site where possible.
The recently completed Phase A of our solar programme reflects that ambition. The project delivered 998 kWp of installed capacity across multiple roof types on a live shopping centre, requiring coordination around structural constraints, electrical infrastructure, operational access and long-term asset management considerations. From initial feasibility studies through to delivery, the project proved that solar is as much a property and engineering challenge as it is an energy project.
In its first full year of operation, the system generated more than 686,000 kWh of renewable energy, achieving almost 96% of target generation and providing 100% on-site consumption. The electricity generated since commission in late 2024 is equivalent to powering around 183 average UK homes for a year. Notably, the project delivered not only carbon savings but also tangible financial benefits through reduced landlord energy costs and improved asset performance. Phase B of this project at Westfield London will push our on-site generation capacity beyond 1,200 kWp, further expanding our renewable energy capacity.
One of the core objectives of the Revo tour was to share the challenges, trade-offs and lessons that often receive less consideration than the technology itself. During the presentation and rooftop visit, discussions focused on the factors that ultimately determine project viability: structural loading, electrical connectivity, roof access, future maintenance requirements and the practical realities of operating major assets for decades to come.
Exploring the interaction between solar infrastructure and Westfield London’s extensive green roofs was of particular interest. Installed using a weighted mounting system to avoid disturbing the roof build-up, the solar array has created distinct micro climates beneath and between panel rows. Increased shading, wind shelter and moisture retention have encouraged sedum communities, colonising grasses and flowering broadleaf species to flourish. These benefits have also introduced operational considerations, including increased vegetation management, maintenance access and the accumulation of dry biomass.
One of our key lessons learned is that ecological responses at the solar-green roof interface can be more significant than anticipated, even where ecological considerations are embedded into project design. Building flexibility into long-term maintenance and management plans is therefore critical to accommodate changing habitat conditions over the life of the asset.
The interaction between solar and our green roof was just one example of how project outcomes can be shaped by factors beyond energy generation alone.
These conversations reinforced an important message for the sector: large retail and mixed-use destinations hold significant untapped potential for renewable energy generation, but successfully delivering solar at scale depends on understanding the operational realities and engineering context of each asset.
This is where initiatives such as Revo study tours provide real value. Bringing together professionals from different disciplines creates opportunities to share knowledge openly between asset owners, consultants, designers, investors and operators. Projects of this scale inevitably involve challenges that can only be fully understood through delivery. Sharing these experiences openly allows the industry to learn faster, avoid repeating mistakes and improve outcomes across future projects.
As the real estate sector continues to pursue decarbonisation, resilience and nature-positive outcomes, collaboration will remain essential. We are grateful to Revo for creating a platform that encourages practical knowledge sharing and were delighted to contribute to a discussion that will hopefully inspire further renewable energy projects across the industry.
Kambridge Van Der Veur, environmental and sustainability manager at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
As published in CoStar, September 2026