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Westfield Shopping Center Solar Installation

Westfield Shopping Center: Transforming Retail Parking into Sustainable Revenue

How a major shopping center deployed StarX Energy's integrated solar and EV charging solution to generate new revenue streams while advancing sustainability goals.

Return on Investment

2.8 years

Full system payback period

Initial Investment $780,000
Annual Revenue $280,000

Energy Production

648 MWh

Annual clean energy generation

System Size 450 kW
Daily Average 1,775 kWh

Environmental Impact

215 tons

Annual CO₂ emissions reduction

Equivalent Trees Planted 3,540 trees
Carbon Offset Value $32,250/year

Project Overview

Westfield Shopping Center

Los Angeles, California

Westfield Shopping Center, a premier retail destination with over 200 stores and 1.2 million square feet of retail space, faced increasing pressure to modernize their facilities with sustainable amenities while generating additional revenue from their expansive parking areas.

Client Challenges

  • High electricity costs for parking area lighting and operations
  • Increasing customer demand for EV charging facilities
  • Corporate sustainability targets requiring significant carbon footprint reduction
  • Underutilized parking spaces with no revenue generation

Project Scope

  • Installation of solar carports covering 120 parking spaces
  • Deployment of 40 Level 2 EV charging stations (7.2 kW each)
  • Integration of 4 DC fast charging stations (50 kW each)
  • 450 kW total solar generation capacity with battery storage
  • StarX Cloud Platform integration for real-time monitoring and management

Project Objectives

  • Generate new revenue streams from EV charging services
  • Reduce operational energy costs through solar power generation
  • Enhance customer experience with premium EV charging amenities
  • Meet corporate sustainability goals by reducing carbon emissions

Project Details

Project Timeline

Project Start March 15, 2024
Installation Completed May 10, 2024
System Activation May 18, 2024
Total Duration 64 days

System Specifications

Solar Panels 1,125 (400W each)
Inverters 15 (30kW each)
Battery Storage 300 kWh
L2 Chargers 40 units
DC Fast Chargers 4 units

Key Stakeholders

Michael Richardson

Westfield Property Manager

Jennifer Alvarez

Sustainability Director

David Chen

StarX Project Manager

Before & After Transformation

Before Installation After Installation
Before: Standard Parking Area After: Solar Carports with EV Charging

Technical Implementation

System Components

Solar Carport System

Custom-designed steel frame carport structures supporting 1,125 high-efficiency monocrystalline solar panels with 400W capacity each.

  • Total capacity: 450 kW DC / 420 kW AC
  • Panel efficiency: 22.8%
  • Integrated LED lighting for nighttime safety

Energy Storage System

300 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery storage system for load balancing and grid independence during peak hours.

  • Modular design with 6 x 50 kWh battery packs
  • Advanced battery management system
  • 10-year warranty with 80% capacity guarantee

EV Charging Infrastructure

Comprehensive charging network with both Level 2 and DC fast charging capabilities to serve diverse customer needs.

  • 40 x 7.2 kW Level 2 charging stations
  • 4 x 50 kW DC fast charging stations
  • Universal compatibility with CCS, CHAdeMO, and J1772
  • Smart load balancing and power management

Integration & Challenges

Technical Challenges

Limited Grid Capacity

The existing electrical infrastructure couldn't support additional load from 44 new EV chargers.

Solution: Implemented advanced load management system with battery storage to prevent grid overload during peak charging times.

Minimal Business Disruption

Installation needed to occur without disrupting shopping center operations or reducing available parking.

Solution: Phased installation approach with overnight construction and temporary parking arrangements to maintain full capacity during business hours.

Payment Integration

Needed seamless payment system compatible with multiple payment methods and mall loyalty program.

Solution: Custom API integration between StarX Cloud Platform and Westfield's existing customer loyalty system, enabling rewards points for EV charging.

System Integration

The StarX Cloud Platform serves as the central management system, integrating all components for seamless operation:

Real-time monitoring of solar production and energy consumption
Automated charging station management and reservation system
Dynamic pricing based on time of day, grid demand, and solar production
Comprehensive reporting for financial and sustainability metrics
Mobile app integration for customer charging management

Performance Metrics

Energy Production vs. Consumption

ROI Timeline

Charging Sessions

4,280

Monthly average

+18% vs. previous month

Energy Delivered

38,640 kWh

Monthly average

+22% vs. previous month

Revenue Generated

$23,320

Monthly average

+15% vs. projected

Carbon Offset

17.9 tons

Monthly average

+8% vs. projected
Jennifer Alvarez, Sustainability Director
"

The StarX Energy solution has exceeded our expectations in every way. Not only have we created a new revenue stream from our previously underutilized parking spaces, but we've also significantly reduced our carbon footprint and provided a valuable amenity to our EV-driving customers. The system paid for itself faster than projected, and the ongoing maintenance has been minimal. This has been one of our most successful sustainability initiatives to date.

Jennifer Alvarez

Sustainability Director, Westfield Shopping Centers

Installation Gallery

Project Timeline

Project Initiation & Site Assessment

March 15-22, 2024

Comprehensive site assessment conducted to evaluate solar potential, parking layout, and electrical infrastructure capacity.

Key Milestone: Detailed engineering report completed, identifying optimal placement for solar carports and EV chargers.

Permitting & Approvals

March 23 - April 5, 2024

Secured all necessary permits from local authorities, including electrical, structural, and environmental approvals.

Challenge Overcome: Expedited permitting process through pre-approved StarX design templates and local government green initiative fast-track program.

Foundation & Structure Installation

April 6-18, 2024

Construction of carport foundations and installation of support structures across 120 parking spaces, conducted primarily during overnight hours.

Key Milestone: All structural elements completed with zero disruption to mall operations or parking capacity during business hours.

Solar Panel Installation

April 19-30, 2024

Mounting and wiring of 1,125 solar panels on the completed support structures, including installation of inverters and control systems.

Challenge Overcome: Weather delays mitigated through accelerated installation schedule and additional crew deployment.

Battery Storage Installation

May 1-5, 2024

Deployment of 300 kWh battery storage system in dedicated equipment area, including safety systems and thermal management.

Key Milestone: Battery system successfully integrated with solar production and grid connection.

EV Charger Installation

May 6-10, 2024

Installation and wiring of 40 Level 2 charging stations and 4 DC fast chargers, including payment systems and network connectivity.

Challenge Overcome: Custom integration with mall's loyalty program required additional software development, completed on schedule.

Testing & Commissioning

May 11-17, 2024

Comprehensive testing of all system components, including solar production, battery cycling, and charging functionality.

Key Milestone: All systems passed inspection and performance verification with 100% functionality.

System Activation & Launch

May 18, 2024

Official system activation and public launch event, featuring mall executives, local officials, and media coverage.

Project Completion: Full system activated on schedule and under budget, with all 44 charging stations operational from day one.

Ready to Transform Your Property?

Join Westfield and hundreds of other forward-thinking property owners who are turning parking spaces into profitable, sustainable EV charging hubs with StarX Energy.

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