Carpark turned Solar Canopy now producing 3000 megawatt hours of solar power - Melbourne Market Authority

1 Jun 2023 4:30 PM

When the Melbourne Market Authority began building a new covered truck parking and loading zone for its Market users, they saw an opportunity to utilise what would otherwise be empty roof space and turn it into the largest rooftop solar power system in Greater North-Eastern Victoria.

The system, which is only stage one of a three-stage project, was switched on at the beginning of May and is expected to offset 10% of the wholesale market's annual energy usage. The 5,432 solar panels placed on the newly built loading zone and an existing warehouse will offset 1,772,838kg of carbon emissions, the equivalent of planting 34,381 trees every year.

Located on a 67-hectare site in Epping, Victoria, the Melbourne Market provides the critical link between growers, wholesalers, retailers and distributors in the fresh produce and flower supply chain. The Market has secured its industry-leading environmental sustainability status through its purpose-built facilities and recycling initiatives. 

Last financial year the Market achieved an impressive 98% recycling rate through donation partnerships with Foodbank, FareShare and Melbourne Zoo, as well as a partnership with Yarra Valley Water, which converts organic waste, not fit for consumption into energy.

“We have a strong commitment to reducing our environmental impact and ensuring the Market is environmentally sustainable for many years to come,” said Mark Maskiell, CEO Melbourne Market Authority.

 

“Turning on our rooftop solar panels is an exciting milestone. Once the entire project is complete, the market will host a 10 megawatt rooftop solar panel system, which will be one of the largest rooftop installations in Australia.”

 

The Melbourne Market Authority is a Victorian State Government entity, and its roof-top solar energy project brings the Victorian Government a step closer to achieving its renewable energy targets.                                                          

 

 

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Key Facts:

When the Melbourne Market Authority began building a new covered truck parking and loading zone for its Market users, they saw an opportunity to utilise what would otherwise be empty roof space and turn it into the largest rooftop solar power system in Greater North-Eastern Victoria.

The system, which is only stage one of a three-stage project, was switched on at the beginning of May and is expected to offset 10% of the wholesale market's annual energy usage. The 5,432 solar panels placed on the newly built loading zone and an existing warehouse will offset 1,772,838kg of carbon emissions, the equivalent of planting 34,381 trees every year. 

About us:

The Melbourne Market is Victoria's wholesale fruit, vegetable and fresh-cut flower trading centre, one of six central fresh produce markets in Australia. It is one of the largest purpose-built wholesale markets in the southern hemisphere.

Operating from a 67-hectare site at Epping, the Market provides the critical link between growers, wholesalers, retailers in the fresh produce supply chain.

Approximately, 3,000 businesses use the Market as a base, buying and selling fresh produce in the early hours of the morning for distribution across Victoria and Australia.

The Melbourne Market is a wholesale produce market and is not open to the general public.

Contact details:

Ellen Tibaldi - Communications Officer                                 

0411 634 280                                                     

ellen.tibaldi@melbournemarket.com.au

 

Lauren Kitchener - Strategic Communications Manager     

0407 095 929    

lauren.kitchener@melbournemarket.com.au

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