Switch to solar for Telstra's metropolitan exchange buildings

Telstra has switched on its largest ever AC Grid Connect solar power systems at the Deer Park and Lyndhurst exchange buildings to help improve its environmental footprint.

The buildings’ new 30 kW solar panel systems are each expected to produce around 40,000 kWh of energy from the sun every year.

The solar energy generated will be used to power the exchange buildings, reducing Telstra’s grid consumption at each site by around 10%.

Solar panels on Telstra exchange buildings are common across rural and remote parts of Australia; however, the installation of large capacity AC Grid Connect solar systems to metropolitan exchange buildings is a first for the company. Telstra Property Executive Director John Romano said it was envisioned more solar panels would be installed in the coming months.

“Our network facilities consume energy 24 hours a day, seven days a week and account for 89% of Telstra’s carbon emissions. Last year, we reduced our overall carbon emissions intensity by 27% by closely managing our energy use and adopting innovative ways to bring it down.”

Romano said with approximately 120 large exchange buildings across the Melbourne metropolitan area alone, there was a significant opportunity to continue reducing their environmental impact.

“We will continue to assess and monitor how successful these panels will be in reducing costs and the impact these buildings can have on the environment,” he said.

“In the coming years we will look to further expand the rollout of solar panels to ensure that we can continue to meet the targets set out in our environmental action plan.”