SA TO HOUSE AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST ROOFTOP SOLAR INSTALLATION
One thousand kilowatts of solar panels will be installed on the roof of the Goyder Pavilion, the centrepiece of the Adelaide Showgrounds upgrade, Premier Mike Rann announced today.
Mr Rann, who is also Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change, said the $8 million project would be the largest rooftop photovoltaic installation in Australia - five times the size of the next largest installation at Melbourne’s Victoria Markets.
“This investment will allow around 10,000 square meters of solar panels to be installed, generating 1,400 mega-watt-hours (MWh) of solar electricity - the equivalent to powering over 200 South Australian homes per year.
"It will also save around 1,400 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year,” Mr Rann said.
The Government’s decision to contribute to this project represents the next step forward in its leadership program.
“A solar installation of this size is likely to generate enough power to meet all of the power requirements of the new Goyder Pavilion and well over one-third of the annual electricity needs of the Showgrounds as a whole.
“It will be more than a demonstration project. For the first time, it will show that solar panels can supply electricity on a commercial scale.”
The new pavilion has been designed and built to achieve environmental outcomes with provision of underground storage of 3.5 million litres of water captured from the roof space.
“The solar panelling further adds to the venues environmental credentials, at the inception of this project we have been committed to creating a sustainable development that minimizes its impact on the environment,” Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society President Charlie Downer said.
“The Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society is thrilled with the support it has received from the State Government,” Mr Downer said.
With 1.2 million visitors per year, the Adelaide Showgrounds’ use of solar energy will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and go a long way towards meeting the three targets set out in the Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Act 2007 to:
· Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the State by at least 60 per cent of 1990 levels by the end of 2050
· Increase the proportion of renewable electricity generated so it comprises at least 20 percent of electricity generated in the State by the end of 2014
· Increase the proportion of renewable electricity consumed so it comprises at least 20 percent of electricity consumed in the State by the end of 2014.
With less than 8 percent of Australia’s population, South Australia has about 40 percent of the nation’s grid-connected solar photovoltaic capacity.
This installation comes on top of the roll-out of solar panels on major public buildings, such as the South Australian Museum, State Library, Art Gallery and Parliament House, as well as the Adelaide Airport and on 250 public schools across the State as part of the Solar Schools Program.
“I am delighted that this gift to the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society will be a benefit that can be shared by all South Australians.” Mr Rann said.
BACKGROUND
Environmental initiatives in the construction of the new Goyder Pavilion:
· $1.3 million for underground water storage, to harvest and store 3.5 million litres of rainwater run off from the building for reuse in toilets, irrigation and water features associated with the new exhibition building.
· $200,000 on photovoltaic panels to power the building and to use throughout the Showground.
· Passive relief air paths within the exhibition building which can operate in natural ventilation mode under suitable conditions.
· Sky lights provided in circulation, toilets and gallery areas to reduce reliance on artificial lighting and provide good daylight levels.
· High efficiency addressable and dimmable fluorescent lighting in the main hall minimising energy wastage due to excessive light levels.
· A windmill will pump water from underground tanks to a header tank supplying energy free water for street tree watering.
· Improved public transport facilities in new forecourt to access Showground via main arterial road; and
· 80% of demolition materials were recycled.
To view a copy of the official media release please click here. 
