South Australia's solar-powered cemetery

The Centennial Park cemetery in South Australia is installing two 30 kW systems of more than 240 solar panels on two of its major buildings.

Set on 40 hectares of parkland, Centennial Park has more than 50 individually themed gardens. The solar systems will be installed on the cemetery’s operations complex and Jubilee complex, where they will supplement power use across the entire area of both facilities.

The operations complex houses the cemetery’s crematorium and all other operational divisions including burial, infrastructure and grounds maintenance. The Jubilee complex comprises three chapels, lounge facilities and an administration space.

Installation of the panels should be completed by December, at which point Centennial Park will be fully supported by solar, said CEO Bryan Elliott.

“Centennial Park’s administration building was fitted with solar panels several years ago,” he said.

“Now, with the upcoming solar installations to our operations and Jubilee facilities, I’m pleased to say all major buildings within the cemetery will be supported by the sun’s energy.

“This will mean a reduction in energy usage, lower power bills and a number of environmental benefits.”

Elliott said the installation of solar panels on Centennial Park’s operations and Jubilee complex buildings was part of the cemetery’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.

“Since the formation of our first Environmental Management Plan in 2002, we have made some big strides in reducing our impact on the environment.

“This includes fully offsetting all of our greenhouse gas emissions including burials, cremations and funeral services.

“We also actively recycle and have successfully reduced our energy consumption, operational waste, vehicle emissions and reliance on mains water.

“The installation of solar panels forms part of our environmental plan and we are thrilled that it’s now coming to fruition.”

Elliott said Centennial Park had plans to extend the solar system on the operations complex.

“Our operations complex has provisions for an extension to the solar system and we have future plans to install additional panels or consider other options of power generation."