Melbourne Market transforms carpark into solar canopy

The Melbourne Market Authority has made innovative use of its new covered truck parking and loading zone, by turning what would otherwise be empty roof space into the largest rooftop solar power system in Greater North-Eastern Victoria.

The system, which is only stage one of a three-stage project, was switched on at the beginning of May and is expected to offset 10% of the wholesale market’s annual energy usage. The 5432 solar panels placed on the newly built loading zone and an existing warehouse will offset 1,772,838 kg of carbon emissions — the equivalent of planting 34,381 trees every year.

The Melbourne Market is Victoria’s wholesale fruit, vegetable and fresh-cut flower trading centre, one of six central fresh produce markets in Australia and one of the largest purpose-built wholesale markets in the Southern Hemisphere.

Operating from a 67-hectare site at Epping and not open to the general public, it hosts approximately 3000 growers, wholesalers and retailers in the fresh produce supply chain.

“We have a strong commitment to reducing our environmental impact and ensuring the market is environmentally sustainable for many years to come,” said Mark Maskiell, CEO Melbourne Market Authority.

“Turning on our rooftop solar panels is an exciting milestone. Once the entire project is complete, the market will host a 10-megawatt rooftop solar panel system, which will be one of the largest rooftop installations in Australia.”

Melbourne Market Authority is a Victorian Government entity, and its rooftop solar energy project brings the Victorian Government a step closer to achieving its renewable energy targets.

Image caption: Melbourne Market’s warehouse rooftop solar panels. Image: Supplied.