Brimbank City Council's multi-deck car park in Sunshine has become the latest Council building to make the move to solar energy.
Council has installed an 82-kilowatt solar installation on the top level of the Brimbank Multi-deck Car Park in George Street, Sunshine, and flicked the on-switch recently.
Brimbank Mayor, Cr Georgina Papafotiou said the solar power generated by the car park's solar panels would provide nearly all the electricity required for the car park. The solar panels will also power electric vehicles that are added to Council's fleet.
'This is a great initiative that will provide free, clean and renewable electricity, the equivalent to the annual power needs of 26 houses.
'It will power the car park's lifts, lighting and equipment. It will also act as a roof over 23 car spaces on the top level of the multi-deck carpark.
'This initiative will help Council achieve goals like sourcing 100 per cent renewable energy by 2021 for all Council buildings and streetlights.
'Our target of 50 per cent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2023 is also on track thanks to initiatives like this,' Cr Papafotiou said.
An added bonus of this latest initiative is the installation of a dual-port electrical vehicle charging station at the solar carpark that will be used as Council continues to expand its electric car fleet.
Since 2016 Council has undertaken a major solar rollout that has resulted in solar panels installed at 34 Council buildings. They currently generate almost one megawatt of clean energy to Council buildings. This also saves Council about $270,000 in electricity costs each year.
Council encourages community feedback about its strategies to tackle climate change. It endorsed the draft Brimbank Climate Emergency Plan 2020-2025 for community consultation at the 10 December Ordinary Council Meeting.
Public feedback can be provided till 26 February 2020. To have your say visit brimbank.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay
