Shining a Light on Mall's Modern Photovoltaic Roof System
The Maine Mall in South Portland, Maine, is the largest enclosed shopping mall in Northern New England. Constructed in 1971, the mall sprawls over one million sq. ft. of retail space with 118 stores. When owner Brookfield Properties Retail Group decided to upgrade the mall’s aging roof in the summer of 2018, it opted for a modern photovoltaic roof that would provide renewable solar power.
Solar roofing systems have steadily gained traction since Congress approved the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008. The law currently allows building owners who install solar energy systems to deduct a portion of the cost directly from federal taxes.