Adelaide Airport to install major rooftop solar system

Adelaide Airport will install a major solar power system which will be one of the largest rooftop solar systems in Australia.

The application will have a capacity of 1.17 megawatts and will cover 8,000 square metres of the airport’s car park roof.

Estimates suggest that the project will reduce the Airport’s energy use and carbon emissions by 10 per cent.

The system is expected to increase solar energy capacity at the airport by 1,000 per cent, and it will be the largest private solar system in South Australia.

Australia’s largest is currently the 1.22 megawatts Shellharbour shopping centre system in Stockland.

Adelaide Airport Managing Director Mark Young said: “Adelaide Airport is again proud to be an aviation industry leader in sustainability… This solar system significantly reduces our energy consumption, while assisting the state government in achieving its renewable energy targets.”

Adelaide Airport was the first in Australia to achieve Airport Carbon Accreditation and is aiming to be a top-tier airport business centre for Asia Pacific.

The director of solar installer Solgen Energy, David Naismith, said: “This project further demonstrates the growing uptake of solar power as an integral part of any business’s energy mix, irrespective of industry,” Mr Naismith said.

Construction of the new solar system is expected to start in December this year and will be completed by April 2016.