Melbourne car park turned into solar power system

While building a covered truck parking and loading zone for its market users, the Melbourne Market Authority saw an opportunity to use what would otherwise be empty roof space and turn it into a rooftop solar power system.

Stage one of a three-stage project, the system 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.

It is located on a 67 ha site in Epping, Victoria, and provides a link between growers, wholesalers, retailers and distributors in the fresh produce and flower supply chain.

Last financial year, the Market achieved a 98% recycling rate through donation partnerships with Foodbank, FareShare and Melbourne Zoo, as well as a partnership with Yarra Valley Water which concerts organic waste into energy.

“Turning on our rooftop solar panels is an exciting milestone. Once the entire project is complete, the market will host a 10 MW rooftop solar panel system, which will be one of the largest rooftop installations in Australia,” said Mark Maskiell, CEO Melbourne Market Authority.

The 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.