Sunrock has implemented a smart solar and battery solution at AS Watson Health & Beauty Benelux’s e-commerce hub in Ede, overcoming grid congestion and ensuring reliable, sustainable energy for growing energy needs.
Sunrock supports AS Watson in its mechanisation rollout at the e-commerce distribution centre in Ede, where all online orders for Kruidvat and Trekpleister are processed. To improve efficiency and meet growing demand, AS Watson introduced advanced mechanisation, significantly increasing its energy requirements. However, grid congestion posed a challenge, limiting access to additional capacity.
By simulating AS Watson’s future energy demand and factoring in grid constraints, Sunrock created a solution that maximises solar usage and guarantees energy reliability on site. Featuring a fully integrated energy system combining a 300 kW / 929.5 kWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a 0.8 MWp rooftop solar installation, managed by Sunrock’s smart energy management system (EMS), this solution ensures reliable, clean power for AS Watson’s operations. The battery provides flexibility during peak demand, while the solar system maximises local energy generation and cost savings.
This integrated approach not only supports AS Watson’s sustainability goals, but also future proofs the site against grid limitations, making sure that Kruidvat and Trekpleister customers continue to receive their orders efficiently and sustainably; all while ensuring greater possibilities for further expansion in the future.
“With this solution, we can continue to expand our mechanisation and improve efficiency without being limited by grid constraints. It also aligns perfectly with our sustainability ambitions, reducing our carbon footprint while ensuring operational reliability.” – Alexander Webhofer, Head of Supply Chain Online Business, AS Watson Health & Beauty Benelux
Sunrock, together with iwell and Kersten Techniek, has delivered a 3.2 MWh battery energy system at WP Carey’s logistics distribution center operated by Nippon Express at the Maasvlakte.
Sunrock, together with iwell and Kersten Techniek, has delivered a 3.2 MWh battery energy system at WP Carey’s logistics distribution center operated by Nippon Express at the Maasvlakte.
Smart use of solar energy
The combination of solar power and battery storage strengthens the site’s sustainable energy supply. During the day, surplus solar power is stored in the battery so it can be used later — even when the sun isn’t shining. This creates a stable, future-proof energy system that is capable of supporting Nippon Express’s sustainability goals and prepares the site for next steps such as electric transport or operational expansion.
Ready for the future
With this project, Nippon Express can take a major step toward a resilient, future-ready energy supply. The system increases energy independence and flexibility in a region where the grid is becoming increasingly congested — a solution that not only works today, but is ready for tomorrow’s growth and electrification.
Partners in energy
The project was made possible through the collaboration between Sunrock, iwell, and Kersten Techniek. Sunrock managed the project, financing, and integration of the rooftop solar and battery systems; iwell provided the battery technology; and Kersten Techniek handled the on-site installation.
Together, they demonstrate how partnership leads to smart, scalable, and, above all, clean solutions that help companies put the energy transition into practice.
“We aim to be more than just the company that builds solar rooftops. With integrated energy solutions like this one, we help businesses use their energy more intelligently — today and in the future.”
— Bart Schot, Project Manager at Sunrock
Sunrock has delivered a 1.6 MWp rooftop solar PV system at Picnic’s fully automated distribution center in Dordrecht, marking the first completed project under our European partnership with the fast-growing online supermarket.
Located in one of the Netherlands’ most congested grid regions, this project was designed to enable 100% local consumption of renewable energy, covering around 30% of the facility’s total energy needs, with no feed-in to the electricity grid required. All generated solar power supports Picnic’s daily operations, including automation, expansion, and its large EV fleet. This makes the system a key part of Picnic’s strategy to power its logistics operations with clean energy and reduce its carbon footprint.
Building on earlier collaborations in the Netherlands and Germany, the Dordrecht installation reflects the close partnership between Sunrock and Picnic to create future-proof energy solutions. It also sets the tone for further projects in development under the partnership, all aimed at enabling local offtake of solar energy in support of Picnic’s climate transition plan.
“At Picnic, efficiency and sustainability go hand in hand. We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and have set the ambition to cut scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% by 2030. Partnering with Sunrock allows us to directly power our operations with solar energy and helping us achieve our long-term climate goals.” – Anna Krotova, Sustainability Lead at Picnic
“This project with Picnic shows how renewable energy can be fully integrated into logistics operations, even in highly congested areas of the electricity grid. By designing for 100% local consumption, we not only address grid limitations but also support our clients’ sustainability ambitions in a tangible way. It’s a great example of how collaboration leads to innovative and future-ready energy solutions.” – Karlijn Elias-Peters, Managing Director Netherlands
Sunrock has implemented an innovative energy solution for the Loods5 distribution center and office in Halfweg, The Netherlands, allowing the building to be delivered to developer Sunrise Real Estate months ahead of schedule.
At the time, grid connectivity was delayed and not expected until the first quarter of 2025. To address this, Sunrock partnered with iwell to create a comprehensive energy solution featuring a solar rooftop installation, a battery, and an advanced energy management system.
The rooftop PV system generates clean energy that tenants can use as needed. Initially designed to operate independently of the grid, the system boosted energy availability and supported sustainable building management. Now with a grid connection, the battery utilises energy trading to maximise its financial potential. Additionally, the system is equipped to handle growing energy demands, providing even more flexibility in an evolving energy landscape.
This project serves as a scalable model for addressing grid delays in real estate developments, showing how tailored energy solutions can solve key gaps while ensuring readiness and sustainability for future energy needs.
“Battery storage as addition to rooftop solar PV, is the future, addressing many challenges in today’s energy landscape. A large logistics building like this requires a continuous and flexible power supply. This project demonstrates how an integrated energy solution meets these needs while effectively tackling grid congestion challenges.“ – Karlijn Elias-Peters, Managing Director Netherlands at Sunrock
“Given that obtaining the required grid access has become a major challenge in developing logistics properties in the Netherlands, innovative solutions are required to meet tenants’ demands. Thanks to our collaboration with Sunrock and iwell, we were able to design and implement an innovative system that combines rooftop solar panels with a battery system. This provides a sustainable alternative for reliable off-grid energy, supporting tenants’ operations while future-proofing the site against uncertainties in the electricity grid. We are proud of the outcome and look forward to further collaboration in the future.” – Matthew Stevens, Head of Development at Sunrise.
A new photovoltaic system has been installed for the transport and logistics service provider DSV in Möckmühl, located in the Heilbronn-Franken region. This project marks Sunrock’s market entry in Germany.
The logistics property in Möckmühl is owned by ECE, a commercial real estate developer, which leases the site to DSV. To provide climate-friendly electricity for the facility’s operations, Sunrock designed and built a photovoltaic system with a total capacity of 3.2 MWp. This output corresponds to the annual electricity consumption of roughly 1,500 single-person households in Germany. By using solar energy to generate electricity on-site, the system saves approximately 1,400 tonnes of CO₂.
Panattoni entrusts Sunrock with the photovoltaic equipment of its new logistics site in Ormes, France
Paris, 29 January 2026 – Sunrock, the European leader in photovoltaic solutions for logistics real estate, announces the extension of its partnership with Panattoni—one of the world’s leading industrial real estate developers—to the French market. Following successful collaborations in the Netherlands and Germany, the two companies are now combining their expertise to develop large-scale solar projects, starting with a first site in Ormes. This project reflects Panattoni France’s ambitious decarbonization strategy.
A strategic partnership in service of decarbonization
Installing photovoltaic panels on the roofs of logistics buildings transforms previously unused surfaces into genuine sources of renewable energy—available for tenants and surrounding communities. For Panattoni, the objective is twofold:
- Significantly reduce the carbon footprint of its buildings throughout their lifecycle
- Offer clients real estate solutions aligned with their CSR commitments
“These projects generate a virtuous circle at the territorial level: each logistics warehouse becomes an active link in the local energy chain. This strategy is fully aligned with national energy transition objectives, meeting regulatory requirements (Climate & Resilience Law) as well as the increasing expectations of territories, clients and investors regarding environmental responsibility,” explains Llorenç Jalle Garrido, Technical Director, Panattoni France.
Commitment beyond regulatory obligations
Since establishing its presence in France more than four years ago, Panattoni has committed to reducing its carbon footprint and environmental impact beyond regulatory requirements. While regulations mandate photovoltaic coverage of 30% of usable roof space, the company far exceeds this threshold. A signatory of the Afilog charter since 2021—which requires at least 50% roof coverage—Panattoni commits to surpassing regulatory thresholds and aims for 100% coverage of usable roof space. Two additional solar projects between the two partners are expected to be announced in 2026.
“Sunrock’s expertise in the European market enables us to support Panattoni’s ambitions with a turnkey approach tailored to French specificities. We manage the entire value chain: engineering, regulations, insurance, grid connection and local energy resale. Our objective: develop several dozen MWp per year in France,” states Romain Bajas, Project Developer at Sunrock France.
Renewable energy serving local communities
Installing rooftop photovoltaic panels on logistics platforms transforms unused areas into renewable energy sources for their territories. The electricity produced will be partly sold to building tenants and nearby businesses through collective self-consumption operations.
The Ormes site (total capacity: 1.8 MWp) produces the equivalent of the annual electricity consumption of around 500 French households. This logistics site thus becomes an active contributor to the local energy production ecosystem.
A competitive advantage for clients
Equipping logistics platforms with photovoltaic panels and sharing the generated electricity with tenants directly contributes to reducing the buildings’ carbon footprint while improving energy performance, a key factor in obtaining BREEAM certification.
This also represents a competitive advantage for Panattoni’s clients—both users and investors. These installations help reduce energy costs while ensuring high-performing real estate assets aligned with their own CSR commitments, adding value in the eyes of partners, employees and end clients.
About Panattoni
Panattoni, the European arm of Panattoni Development Company, is one of the world’s leading developers of logistics and industrial real estate. Since launching its activities in Europe in 2005, Panattoni has established itself as the market leader in Europe. The company has 70 offices worldwide: North America, Mexico, India, Saudi Arabia and Europe. Its global portfolio includes more than 60 million square metres of logistics and industrial buildings delivered for over 2,500 clients across Europe. To date, the company has developed more than 25 million square metres of projects in Europe.
www.panattonieurope.com
About Sunrock
Founded in 2012, Sunrock is a leading European developer of large-scale rooftop solar and integrated clean energy solutions, enabling logistics real estate owners and operators, as well as industrial clients, to achieve ESG targets and net-zero operations.
Sunrock provides tailored solutions powering logistical warehouses and industrial buildings with clean energy, focusing on local energy production from solar rooftop systems, enabled by intelligent Energy Management Systems (EMS), a multimodal trading platform, and smart energy assets like battery storage and fleet charging systems. From design and financing to construction and operation, the company manages every step to maximise energy efficiency.
Sunrock was acquired in 2020 by COFRA Holding as part of its commitment to positively impact, through business, key transitions for a more liveable planet and equitable society. Active in Germany, France, and the Netherlands, Sunrock employs over 160 people and is realising projects exceeding 1 GWp. Certified B Corp, the company is committed to regularly improving its social and environmental impact.
Sunrock partners with its customers for a clean energy future. Learn more at www.sunrock.com.
Sunrock is realising a major project in the field of renewable energies with Mercedes-Benz AG, with large-scale photovoltaic systems to be installed at several of the car manufacturer’s sites in Germany. The collaboration aims to support the company in achieving its sustainability goals by providing renewable energy for its internal operations. As part of this broad initiative, Sunrock will install photovoltaic systems on roofs at key locations such as Rastatt, Kuppenheim, Sindelfingen, Kamenz, Untertürkheim, Bremen, Kölleda and Immendingen. As of today (June 2024), the total capacity of the agreed systems amounts to more than 20 MWp on 18 building roofs**.
A key highlight of this collaboration is the project at the Rastatt location, where Sunrock has installed a 5.2 MWp system with 12,000 solar modules. This installation will go into operation in the third quarter of 2024; a showcase project that demonstrates the potential of large solar roof systems for industrial companies. The solar modules will produce sustainable electricity for the site as part of a local power purchase agreement (PPA). This supports Mercedes-Benz’s goal of operating all production facilities with 100 percent renewable energy by 2039.
Sunrock, as a leading developer of large-scale rooftop photovoltaic systems in Europe, is delighted to be part of this exciting partnership. This project underscores Sunrock’s commitment to working with customers across industries and contributing to their sustainability goals through clean energy solutions.
Arno van der Merwe, Vice President Production Planning at Mercedes-Benz AG: “The goal for all Mercedes-Benz production facilities worldwide is to run on 100 percent renewable energy by 2039. The expansion of photovoltaic systems plays an important role in this. By turning our own production sites into production sites for renewable energies, we are making an active contribution to the energy transition in Germany.”
Tim Kayser – Regional Head of Development Sunrock Germany: “We are proud to contribute to the sustainable business strategy of one of the world’s leading automotive companies. It is an ongoing process to work together towards a clean energy future. In the future, more and more Mercedes-Benz AG locations in Germany will obtain locally generated solar power from their own roofs. We would like to thank the entire project team and everyone involved for their excellent cooperation.”
** The video recording on this page contains project information that may differ from the written text. This was correct at the time of recording. Further locations will be added over time as part of this project
Sunrock Germany, in partnership with Lang & Cie. Real Estate AG, has developed an innovative 5 MWp PV rooftop solar system in Polch, Germany. This project serves the logistics real estate market, featuring the MultiBusinessHub spanning 67,000 m². The solar installation, featuring approximately 12,000 panels, is integrated with a green roof that covers 50% of the area (30,000 m²) – making it one of the largest green roof PV systems in Germany. This combination reduces CO2 emissions by 2196 tons every year.
What makes this project truly special? With the successful integration of green roofing and solar PV installation, this unique approach not only boosts the property’s value but also supports net-zero carbon operations, helping to meet ambitious ESG goals. The solar system offers predictable energy costs and reduces grid dependence while generating affordable, clean energy for the building users.
With a 25-year lease term and Sunrock’s 100% investment, the project poses virtually no financial risk for owners or tenants. It provides clean energy through local offtake or grid feed-in options. Additionally, the building is constructed according to the DGNB Gold Standard, with comprehensive supply chain transparency and carbon footprint tracking. The property sets a new standard and model for sustainable logistics developments going forward.
Tim Kayser, Regional Head of Development at Sunrock Germany: “At Sunrock, we always go for the win-win-win situation. We’re able to not only install the PV system and market the electricity, but also, support the owners in achieving their ESG goals and, of course, provide the tenants with green energy at a good price.
Julius Bender, Board Member at Lang & Cie. Real Estate AG: “Even in the planning stage, we knew that this 60,000-square-meter roof should have a PV system on it, as sustainability is important to us. Clearly, we needed a partner. And we found one in Sunrock.”
Sunrock and Delta Development have successfully implemented a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the “Positive Footprint Warehouse” logistics property in Dorsten, North Rhine-Westphalia. This project marks the first go-live of the BESS solution in Germany and is an important step towards sustainable energy management. The system, which complements the photovoltaic (PV) installation by Sunrock, offers a continuous supply of clean energy – aligning perfectly with the project’s ambitious sustainability goals.
The “Positive Footprint Warehouse,” developed by Delta Development, features a rooftop PV system with a capacity of 3.45 MWp, installed by Sunrock. This installation alone reduces CO2 emissions by over 1,300 tons every year, equivalent to 908 single-person households. The recent addition of a 1,000 kWh BESS enhances the property’s energy efficiency by storing extra solar energy generated during peak production times. This stored energy is then available for use when not enough solar energy is produced, providing a reliable and secure supply of clean energy.
This project is truly a success story of Sunrock’s Clean Energy Solutions which includes both solar power generation and energy storage. The smart energy management system, together with the BESS, ensures the most efficient use of the generated energy. This enhances both sustainability and drives long-term property value. Additionally, the system’s capability to connect with electric vehicle (EV) charging stations allows for dynamic and efficient charging solutions, further supporting the transition towards a clean energy future.
Georg Brenninkmeijer, Managing Director of Sunrock Germany, comments: “The launch of the Battery Energy Storage System is a good signal. It ensures a continuous supply of solar energy and supports the project’s sustainability strategy. We would like to thank Delta Development as well as iwell for their cooperation and look forward to playing an active role in shaping the path to a clean energy future.”
Edwin Meijerink, Managing Director of Delta Development: “‘The Levi Strauss & Co. European Distribution Center’ shows how logistics properties can be developed to the highest sustainability standards. Technological innovations are a cornerstone for this. The efficient storage of surplus solar power further increases the energy efficiency of the property and makes an important contribution to offsetting CO2 emissions for the property user. The owner also benefits from the solution through an optimised ESG ranking.”
Want to learn more about the project? Read our press release here: The Levi Strauss & Co. European Distribution Center”: Delta Development and Sunrock put battery storage solution BESS into operation .
On the rooftop of the new business and logistics park “The Tube” in Düsseldorf, Sunrock and Frasers Property Industrial successfully installed a powerful photovoltaic system with a total capacity of 6.7 megawatt peak (MWp).
Sunrock has leased the 76,000 square meter roof area for the project and installed approximately 14,600 solar modules. The system generates 6,039 megawatt hours of clean electricity annually, reducing CO₂ emissions by 2,687 tonnes per year. This contributes to the property’s high sustainability standards and enables climate-friendly energy supply for the tenants.
Green Energy Straight from the Roof: Benefits for Tenants
The solar power generated on-site is made available to the tenants of “The Tube” through a Local Power Purchase Agreement (LPPA). This model offers not only ecological but also economic advantages: fixed prices ensure predictable energy costs, while long-term contracts protect against market fluctuations. In addition, the absence of levies and surcharges makes it possible to obtain green electricity at especially attractive rates. On request, Sunrock can also provide tenants with a full green electricity supply.
Project Execution: From Planning to Operation – All from a Single Source
Sunrock was involved early in the property development process and handled all aspects of the PV project. Construction began in autumn 2024, and despite challenging weather conditions, the system was operational after just six months.
During the planning phase, roof statics and grid capacity were assessed, technical infrastructure and metering concepts were developed, and yield and shading analyses were carried out. After securing all necessary permits, the approximately 14,600 solar modules were installed and connected to the grid. A particular technical challenge was the installation of 44 inverters, which had to be precisely aligned with the roof’s structural requirements.
Even during ongoing operation, Sunrock ensures optimal system performance: its professional asset management includes monitoring, maintenance, regulatory compliance, efficiency and performance optimization measures, as well as regular reporting.
A Sustainable Success Story
“We are pleased that our photovoltaic system makes a significant contribution to the sustainability of the property,” says Roderik von Meyenfeldt, Regional Head of Development at Sunrock. “This project demonstrates how photovoltaics can be integrated into modern commercial and logistics properties in a way that makes both economic and ecological sense – with tangible benefits for the owner and tenants. The collaborative partnership with Frasers Property Industrial was a key factor in this success. We look forward to continuing this successful cooperation and realizing further sustainable projects together.”
Alexander Heubes, Managing Director Europe of Frasers Property Industrial, adds:
“The performance of the PV system is remarkable and significantly contributes to reducing CO₂ emissions during the operation of The Tube. Our goal is for all customers to use the solar power produced on site, and in the future, to intelligently store any surplus energy to optimize the efficiency of our energy supply. We thank Sunrock for the excellent collaboration and look forward to continuing it on future joint projects.”