The largest solar panel system of SM Supermalls in SM City Santa Rosa has recently received a Certificate of Compliance by the Energy Regulatory Commission. (Photo: SM Supermalls)
The shopping center developer SM Supermalls, a subsidiary of the Philippines' largest retail firm SM Prime, has recently unveiled the company’s largest self-used rooftop solar PV system at SM City in Santa Rosa, Laguna. It is installed across over 2 hectares of the mall’s building.
The solar PV system at SM City Santa Rosa, which recently obtained the Certificate of Compliance (COC) from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), comprises 5,772 panels with a capacity of 3.088 MWp and can generate up to 4.292 GWh of solar energy annually.
The installation of the solar PV system at SM City Santa Rosa will fulfill 15% of the mall’s energy consumption requirements.
SM Supermalls initially implemented solar PV systems in 2014 at SM City North EDSA, marking the Philippines' first mall in utilizing solar energy. By adopting solar energy as a clean and renewable power source, SM Supermalls has diminished dependence on the electrical grid. This proves advantageous during periods of heightened electricity demand due to rising temperatures.
SM Supermalls’ solar panel systems (Clockwise from top left): SM Seaside City Cebu, SM City Grand Central, SM City North Edsa, and SM Mall of Asia. (Photo: SM Supermalls)
SM Supermalls is also involved in the Department of Energy's Interruptible Load Program (ILP), which allocates 110 MV of power to communities nationwide. 56 malls operate their own generator sets instead of depending solely on the power grid, a strategy that proves beneficial during local power interruptions and periods of power rationing.
Among private sector participants, SM boasts the most significant contribution, with SM Mall of Asia committing the highest capacity at 15.92 MW for this initiative.
All 85 malls operated by SM Supermalls prioritize energy efficiency. Each mall optimizes natural lighting by incorporating skylights and windows, while also using LED lighting since 2018 to enhance energy efficiency.
“We have made significant strides in clean energy regeneration, water conservation and recycling, and solid waste management. With the continuous support of our partners and the communities where we operate, we believe we can reach our science-based goals towards Net Zero by 2040,”said Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls.
