Townsville sport stadium becomes a solar power station

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Townsville sport stadium becomes a solar power station

October 18, 2012

Environment / Sport / Venues /

The recently opened Townsville RSL Stadium has been acknowledged as the largest solar power system in North Queensland.

The roof of the new sport stadium is topped with $2 million solar farm consisting of 1,800 solar panels which meet two-thirds of the stadium's energy requirements.

Speaking at the recent opening Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Mark Dreyfus stated "this massive solar system generates around 1400 kilowatt hours a day - that's equivalent to the daily energy requirements of 75 homes.

"The clean energy produced here equates to cutting 460 tonnes of carbon pollution each year or taking approximately 100 cars off the road."

The stadium project is part of the Townsville Solar City Program funded by the Federal Government, which has helped install more than 1 megawatt of solar PV in Townsville, cutting carbon pollution by 64,000 tonnes.

Townsville RSL Stadium is a multi-purpose air- conditioned sports arena located in the city's Murray Sports Precinct, with Townsville City Council completing the project in partnership with energy supplier Ergon.

Globally 'solar stadiums' are becoming commonplace; in an effort to not only reduce associated carbon impact, but the substantial costs involved with powering facilities.

Other significant solar stadium developments include the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, USA, the Pituaçu Stadium in Brazil and the main stadium constructed for the World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. In Australia, the Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast and the Bankstown Basketball Stadium project are seen to have demonstrated industry best practice in solar farming.

For more information go to www.townsville.qld.gov.au/facilities/sports/rsl/Pages/default.aspx

Image: Kyocera's rooftop solar power system at the Townsville RSL Stadium.

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