City of Melbourne Council will power up more than 650 solar panels in a bid to boost sustainability and cut carbon emissions and electricity costs in the Queen Victoria Market precinct.
Another 900 panels will be switched on over the coming months, generating a total of more than 900,000 kilowatt hours a year – enough to power 205 Melbourne households, Council said in a statement.
It said the new solar power system will reduce the market’s electricity bill by $100,000 a year.
“We’re doing everything we can to reduce our environmental impact and build resilience to ensure Melbourne is one of the world’s most sustainable cities. Our major investment in the Queen Victoria Market precinct will play a significant role as we build towards becoming a zero-carbon city by 2040,” said Lord Mayor, Sally Capp.
“We’re championing sustainability through our renewal program by incorporating solar power, stormwater harvesting and on-site organic waste recycling – making it easier for traders to run their businesses, while reducing the market precinct’s environmental footprint.
“The market’s new solar power system will cut costs and carbon emissions, providing flow-on benefits for traders, the environment and the City of Melbourne.”
The system is set to save more than 1,300 tonnes of carbon emissions each year and support Council’s commitment to become a zero-carbon city by 2040.
“Our infrastructure priorities are a direct response to the climate emergency facing our city and the world,” said Environment portfolio lead, Councillor Rohan Leppert.
“The installation of more than 1,500 solar panels at the Queen Victoria Market will save 1,300 tonnes of carbon emissions each year, building resilience to the changing climate in one of our fastest growing city precincts.”
Following the project’s completion in mid-2023, the market will be home to 3,765m2 of solar panels, which would cover the surface of three Olympic swimming pools.
“We’re proud of the market’s long-term commitment to renewable energy and more recent sharp focus on prudent waste management,” said Queen Victoria Market CEO, Stan Liacos.
“Solar panels were first introduced at the market in 2003 when 1,328 photovoltaic panels were installed with support of the City of Melbourne – it was the largest of its type in the southern hemisphere at that time.
“The installation of this new solar system, along with other sustainability initiatives such as recycling 80 per cent of the market’s waste, up from 50 per cent three years ago, means we are on target to achieve our mission of zero net carbon emissions by 2027.”
The solar power system is part of the Queen Victoria Market Precinct Renewal program.
