Shopping Centers as Power Hubs — Retail’s Role in Community Energy Resilience
By Ellie Gabel
Shopping centers may not be as bustling as they once were, but even small towns have at least one modest strip mall. Whether thriving or abandoned, they can serve as an asset to their local communities by acting as power hubs.
Retail and the Push for Sustainable Energy
Electricity is becoming more expensive every year. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 cost analysis revealed the national average price reached 12.99 cents per kilowatt-hour, up 22.55% over the past five years. This trend will likely continue as energy-intensive buildings like data centers become more common.
Where do shopping centers fit into this? They are usually large, power-hungry buildings, contributing to the problem. However, they may also be the solution. They could serve as decentralized energy hubs, supporting power grid stability and serving local communities.
Retail stores often have large, flat rooftops and vast parking lots — an excess of underused space. Because of their size, prevalence and energy consumption, malls make excellent candidates for a renewable-centered overhaul.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, 83% of commercial buildings are less than 25,000 square feet. In comparison, each enclosed mall is, on average, 727,800 square feet. Even though there are far fewer malls than other retail stores, they account for 61% of mercantile electricity consumption.
Why Turn Shopping Centers Into Power Hubs?
Strip malls, shopping centers and outlet malls are as American as apple pie. Most urban areas have at least one — or at least they used to. The rise of e-commerce triggered a decline in brick-and-mortar foot traffic.
For years, they have experienced a considerable decline in sales, leading to numerous store closures. As of 2025, there are around 700 active malls in the U.S., down from 2,500 in the 1980s. However, even with empty storefronts, they remain a staple in many places — maybe because demolition is costly and complex, especially when some tenants remain.
These so-called “zombie malls” remain standing, letting communities reimagine and renew them. Rooftop solar arrays, geothermal heat pumps and wind turbines can improve energy efficiency and sustainability.
Business owners will rent empty spaces when they know they won’t have to worry about electricity bills. If the renewables generate enough power, they can provide clean, free energy to nearby retail stores and neighborhoods. Even if most storefronts stay empty, the building will become an asset, especially during emergencies like power outages or natural disasters.
An energy hub is a local system powered by multiple parties coordinating electricity production, consumption and storage to optimize grid capacity. Shopping centers are vast and often in prime locations, so they are ideal for this purpose. Soon, zombie malls will evolve from an eyesore to a community nexus.
How Malls Are Becoming Energy Hubs
Though the concept of a clean energy hub may be relatively new, the technology has existed for years. Forward-thinking developers and business owners are already transforming empty retail rooftops into microgrids — localized power grids that operate independently.
Ikea recently completed a solar parking lot in Baltimore. The panels form a canopy, shielding cars while generating power. They’ve exceeded expectations so far — the store has seen an 84% reduction in the electricity it would typically need to purchase. The retailer expects its network of rooftop solar arrays to produce 10.7 gigawatt hours of energy annually.
Less than an hour away, the Hollinswood Shipping Center boasts a recently completed solar array. The 1,500 rooftop panels generate about 1 megawatt of energy, contributing to lower electricity costs for nearby households and businesses. These are massive improvements, since Maryland imports nearly 40% of its electricity.
Solar panels are popular because installation is relatively simple, requiring little to no retrofitting. With battery storage systems, businesses can stockpile the clean, free electricity they generate to keep the lights on and support electric vehicle charging after sunset. They can even sell their excess to turn a profit.
Communities Benefit From Energy Resilience
Retail is the beating heart of American consumerism. These buildings symbolize old-fashioned togetherness. In addition to serving as community anchors, they can promote energy resilience and improve air quality by mitigating fossil fuel pollution.
In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, investments in on-site renewables and energy storage systems can improve power grid stability. Utility providers can handle peak demand spikes more easily and receive a steady supply of free power, which may result in lower charges for residents.
The Expressway Plaza shopping center in Graniteville, N.Y., is an excellent example. It’s part of a community solar project, generating just over 0.5 megawatts of energy to offset around 700 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. At least 30% of the power goes to low-to-moderate-income homes. The panels will last at least two decades.
Developers working with utility companies and local governments may have an easier time designing, building and budgeting power hubs — especially if they plan to implement these changes across every chain store.
Revitalizing Brick-and-Mortar Retail Stores
While investing in a new technology at scale is a considerable decision, the choice is clear. Using retail spaces to create a nationwide network of microgrids would help owners, tenants and locals. As electricity prices rise and sustainability becomes more pressing, adopting renewables becomes more beneficial.
Massive brands have deep pockets and numerous locations, positioning them to make the most significant impact. For example, Walmart has over 783 million square feet of rooftop space, amounting to almost 9,000 gigawatt hours of energy potential. However, it hasn’t focused on turning its stores into energy hubs.
Counteracting the growth of e-commerce to attract shoppers should be motivation enough for any brick-and-mortar store. However, installing renewables is a big commitment. Public-private partnerships and funding opportunities could compel them to act.
With solutions like climate-adaptive facades, natural ventilation, heat recovery technology and building information systems, they could further improve sustainability while diversifying their investments. They can make improvements after analyzing strengths and opportunities.
The Path Forward for Sustainable Malls
The local shopping center may sit woefully empty now, but it was once a bustling gathering place, benefiting the entire community. Fortunately, its best days are still ahead. With a simple solar panel and battery system, it can become a power hub, providing a critical service to locals.
Ellie Gabel is the sciences editor at Revolutionized, where she specializes in astronomy, environmental science, and innovative technologies.