At Greenvolt Next, we believe the future of energy lies in bold ideas, smart systems, and strong partnerships. That belief comes to life in Lidl Ireland’s latest announcement: the construction of Ireland’s first Net Zero Energy supermarket in Maynooth, Co. Kildare powered by a custom-designed solar pv system from Greenvolt Next.
This is more than a store. It’s a climate-positive innovation hub. And powering it required more than a standard solar setup. Our team delivered a multi-layered clean energy system combining rooftop solar, solar carport generation, and on-site battery storage, each playing a critical role in helping Lidl generate and manage its own clean energy, on its own terms.
Rooftop Solar PV System:
Ireland’s Largest Commercial Installation
The beating heart of the Net Zero Energy store is a rooftop solar pv system array a 575 kWp system that stretches across the entire surface of the building and 3 carports. As the largest rooftop solar pv system installation on any commercial premises in Ireland, this system alone delivers a massive portion of the store’s daily operational energy needs.
Every panel is optimally tilted to maximize solar capture year-round, feeding directly into the store’s power infrastructure. We designed the system not just for high yield, but for long-term resilience—using premium components and predictive analytics to ensure uptime and performance.
This rooftop array doesn’t just produce clean electricity. It solidifies Lidl’s position as Ireland’s largest commercial solar operator.
Carport Solar PV System:
Power Meets Practicality
The innovation didn’t stop at the roof. We extended Lidl’s solar generation to the customer car park through three solar pv system carport structures, which serves dual functions:
- Generating additional clean electricity
- Providing covered, weather-protected parking for customers
These canopies integrate seamlessly into the architectural and environmental goals of the site. They power the EV charging infrastructure and boost the total generation capacity of the site, critical for achieving true energy independence.
On-Site Battery Storage:
Making Solar Smarter
Sunlight isn’t 24/7 but shopping is. To bridge that gap, Greenvolt Next Ireland installed an advanced 200kwh battery storage system onsite. This system:
- Stores excess solar power generated during daylight hours
- Discharges stored energy during evening hours or peak demand
- Provides backup capacity, ensuring seamless operation during grid outages
By flattening the energy curve and maximizing self-consumption, the battery storage ensures that Lidl’s Maynooth store isn’t just renewable, it’s reliable. It also plays a key role in helping the store reduce its dependency on the grid and optimize energy use even during periods of low solar production.
A Fully Integrated Energy Ecosystem
The integration of rooftop and carport solar pv system with battery storage creates a closed-loop renewable energy system managed via intelligent energy control software. This allows Lidl to:
- Monitor energy generation and consumption in real-time
- Automate battery charge/discharge cycles
- Optimize for carbon savings and financial efficiency
From the moment a photon hits a panel to the moment a light turns on in-store, every part of this system is designed to reduce emissions and support Lidl’s Net Zero target.
More Than a Project: A Benchmark for the Future
For us at Greenvolt Next Ireland, the Maynooth store represents a milestone in clean energy design, but more importantly, it sets a precedent for what’s possible in commercial retail:
- It shows that smart solar design and storage can deliver full operational energy independence.
- It proves that decarbonizing retail infrastructure is not only feasible—it’s happening right now.
We’re proud to work with Lidl on this transformative project, and even prouder that our integrated renewable energy system is central to its success.
Greenvolt Next: Powering Ireland’s Net Zero Future
The Lidl Net Zero Energy store in Maynooth is scheduled to open in November 2025, but the systems we’ve designed will be working long before the first customer walks through the door—and long after.
This isn’t just one store. A preview of how Ireland can build for climate resilience—retail by retail, roof by roof.
At Greenvolt Next, we’re bringing energy next to you.
