Market Harnesses Power of the Sun

As part of the Council’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and energy use, the City of Port Phillip is installing an additional 612 solar panels on the South Melbourne Market’s rooftop.

The new 200kWp solar panel system is expected to generate 263,000kWh of electricity each year and save over $60,000 per year in avoided electricity costs. This is equivalent to powering 45 houses in Port Phillip.

The solar panels add to the existing 32kWp system already in place at the Market, which is one of 20 Council buildings where solar panels have been installed.

In the last 20 years, Council has reduced its greenhouse emissions by over 70 per cent by installing solar panels, improving energy efficiency of buildings and public lights, and purchasing renewable energy from Crowlands wind farm as part of the Melbourne Renewable Energy Project.

This project follows Council's solar panel installation on the St Kilda Town Hall in 2016, which saves up to $44,000 annually and the Solar Partnership Program which launched in 2018. The program supports apartment dwellers and businesses to install solar panels while providing expert advice to landlords, tenants and Owners Corporations.

The South Melbourne Market solar project is due for completion by 31 August 2019.