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Lidl GB.
Retrofit Solar PV Case Study.
Solar PV retrofits across five trading Lidl stores. Discover how Square 4 Solar matched rooftop generation to store electricity demand while maintaining day-to-day operations.
Retail
Sector
Retrofit
Project type
5
Stores upgraded
95%
Solar energy used on site
The Challenge
Lidl GB wanted to retrofit solar PV across five existing stores while keeping every location open to customers. Installation needed to integrate with each store’s electrical infrastructure without interrupting daily operations.
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The systems also needed to reflect how each store used electricity. Maximising consumption of solar power on site, while limiting surplus generation and exports, required careful assessment of demand and available roof space.
The Solution
Square 4 Solar analysed each store’s electricity consumption data and assessed the available roof space. This informed designs that matched predicted hourly solar generation to operational demand, helping minimise overproduction and support the return on investment.
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As main contractor, Square 4 Solar managed delivery from design through installation, including Distribution Network Operator applications for grid connection and health and safety arrangements for staff and customers.
The Results
Across the five stores, 95% of the solar electricity generated was consumed on site, with just 5% exported to the grid. The rooftop systems supplied approximately 30% of the stores’ electricity requirements, reducing reliance on purchased power.
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The project supported Lidl’s renewable energy goals while delivering a reported payback period of around four and a half years, demonstrating the value of designing around consumption.