Solar for shopping centres, and the power that runs them
We put solar on shopping centre roofs and become the electricity supplier to every tenant. We supply their power, meter it and bill them. The centre owner is no longer responsible for electricity.
How it works
We carry the cost of the system. The owner earns roof rent, and the tenants get their power from us.
Step 1: We install and own the solar
We design, supply and install solar on the centre’s roof at our cost. We own, insure and maintain it for the full term of the lease.
Step 2: The owner leases us the roof
The centre owner signs a roof lease with Master Energy and earns roof rent every month.
Step 3: Every tenant becomes our customer
Each shop gets its own meter and an electricity agreement with Master Energy. Tenants deal with us for power, not with the landlord.
Step 4: Solar comes first
Shops trade mostly in daylight, so most of the solar is used on site. The grid supplies the rest as usual, with no interruption.
Step 5: We handle billing and the supply authority
We bill each tenant and pay the City of Cape Town or Eskom for all grid power. The owner has no electricity account, recoveries or arrears to manage.
What the owner and tenants get
The centre owner
- No capital cost
- We pay for the solar system and own it.
- Monthly roof rent
- Income from roof space that earns nothing today.
- No more recoveries
- You stop recovering electricity costs from tenants and carrying unpaid power bills.
- Less admin
- No meter reading, no recoveries and no tenant power queries.
The tenants
- A price per unit never higher than the City of Cape Town or Eskom would charge for their category
- Solar power during trading hours
- One point of contact for supply, faults and billing
- Clear statements of what they use and pay
Getting started
Every centre is different, so we start with a site survey of the roof and the electrical supply, and a look at the owner’s electricity account. From there we design the system and set out the roof lease.
Tenant leases may need updating so that electricity is supplied by Master Energy rather than recovered by the landlord. We work through that with you.
Own or manage a shopping centre?
Tell us about the centre and its tenants. We will arrange a site survey and take it from there.