Murdoch becomes WA's largest solar grid contributor

Murdoch University is now the largest user of mains connected solar power in Western Australia.

Nearly 200 solar panels with a market value of more than $250,000 have just been installed onto the University’s library roof to generate renewable energy, and will link into Perth’s electricity grid.

This renewable energy generation is in addition to the 15 per cent GreenPower from Synergy that the University began using from wind farms this week.

The library's 26kW array is the biggest grid connected solar photovoltaic system in Perth, and will generate around 130kWh of renewable energy on campus a day.

Murdoch’s Vice Chancellor, Professor John Yovich, said the University was implementing an Environmental Sustainability Program which would draw together the University’s ‘green’ initiatives in preparation for the carbon targets and mandatory reporting introduction in 2012.

“Together these initiatives will significantly reduce Murdoch’s carbon footprint and the University community’s contribution to climate change,” Professor Yovich said.

“Murdoch University will continue to play an important role as a catalyst for change through our research, teaching and our own actions.”

The solar panels were put up by local WA installer SolarUnlimited with expert consultant input from Murdoch’s Research Institute for Sustainable Energy (RISE), which is already self-sufficient with its use of solar and wind power.