City of Sydney funds Australia’s largest building-mounted solar PV program

The City of Sydney has awarded Solgen Energy a $6 million contract to fit solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to more than 30 sites over the next two years to generate 12.5% of the electricity needs of all City of Sydney properties. The contract will see solar PV panels installed on major City-owned buildings, grandstands, depots and libraries across the city.

In total, the panels will have a capacity of more than 1250 kWp (kilowatt peak) and will cover 9000 m², making the project Australia’s largest building-mounted solar PV program. The City of Sydney expects the panels to produce nearly 2,000,000 kWh or electricity a year, reducing the City’s annual carbon pollution by 2100 tonnes.

“The City of Sydney is delivering on its commitment to reduce carbon pollution by 70% and produce 30% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 - one of the most ambitious programs of any Australian government,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“The solar PV project produces no pollution when generating electricity - unlike coal-fired power, which is responsible for 80% of our pollution.”

Panels will be installed on: Town Hall House; Redfern Oval grandstand; Railway Square Bus Interchange; Sydney Park Pavilion; Paddington, Redfern and Glebe town halls; and a number of libraries, community centres and Council depots.

“Energy produced locally through solar panels, trigeneration systems or fuel cells will reduce the need to spend billions of dollars on new coal-fired power stations and network upgrades, which are driving up household electricity bills,” the Lord Mayor said.

The City of Sydney has already invested $1 million on solar hot water and photovoltaic system installations at 18 sites, including Sydney Town Hall, libraries, community centres, childcare centres and depots, reducing 180 tonnes of carbon pollution annually.