WHAT IS CLAIMED to be the largest local government rooftop photovoltaic system has been installed at Randwick City Council’s Works Depot in Maroubra. Locate in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, the 36kW installation provides up to 25 percent of the Depot’s annual electricity usage.

The system was installed by Australian owned company, Solgen Energy, to connect to an array of existing solar electic panels to create a combined 48kW solar energy installation. The additional 36kW array of 216 photovoltaic modules generates up to 58 megawatts of electricity a year and reduces Council’s carbon emission by 58 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Randwick City Council has installed 20 kilowatts of solar panels at other Council sites and has undertaken other sustainability initiatives including large water conservation projects as well as introducing a community car share scheme that includes designated parking for both car share and hybrid vehicles at popular shopping and beachside locations.

Council makes use of an environmental levy to fund the Sustaining Our City program that incorporates a Local Greenhouse Action Plan and a range of community education initiatives such as the annual Eco Living Fair, Sustainable Gardening course and Living Smart course.

In 2010, Council’s Sustainability Education Officer, Fiona Campbell, will oversee a project to retrofit for energy efficiency, water efficiency and public education the Randwick Community Centre. The project will see the installation of simple technologies to reduce energy and water consumption and feature interpretive signage and education programs, including the PIG — the Permaculture Interpretive Garden — to offer visitors and participants in council courses ideas that they can implement in their homes and apartments.

Rating

INNOVATION/DESIGN THINKING: Medium.

A solution to carbon emission reduction.

SCALABILITY POTENTIAL: High if roof space and funding available.

REPLICABILITY: Can be copied easily with existing technology.