SunEdison, a North American solar energy services provider, recently announced a solar distributed generation program with Developers Diversified Realty, a Cleveland-based real estate investment trust (REIT) actively engaged in the development and management of shopping centers.

According to the companies, SunEdison has the rights to deploy solar energy systems at more than 200 shopping centers, covering up to an estimated 30 million square feet, located in 24 states and in Puerto Rico. Potential capacity of the program is reportedly up to 259 MW.

The companies say that once a system is operational, Developers Diversified will be able to purchase energy for common area uses. In addition, shopping center tenants can benefit and realize energy savings by opting to purchase the power generated through the program at rates lower than retail energy rates.

“Developers Diversified is a forward-thinking real estate company— bringing clean solar energy to its properties for the benefit of its tenants and the environment through the largest distributed generation program of its kind. It’s a way for Developers Diversified and its tenants to reduce operating costs. Furthermore, a typical-sized solar energy system in the program will avoid an estimated 10 million pounds of carbon dioxide pollution,” said Brian Jacolick, General Manager, Americas for SunEdison.

Developers Diversified Realty says it currently owns and manages approximately 720 retail operating and development properties in 45 states, plus Puerto Rico, Brazil, Russia and Canada, totaling approximately 159 million square feet. Developers Diversified is a self- administered and self-managed REIT operating as a fully integrated real estate company that acquires, develops, leases and manages shopping centers.

Source: Clean Edge News