Australian-made solar power to power airport

BP Solar has started working to manufacture and supply Australian-made solar panels to Adelaide Airport so that the state’s commercial solar photovoltaic (PV) system could begin operating by the middle of this year.

This commitment by BP Solar follows the South Australian Government’s go-ahead for the installation of a 114 kW system on the roof of Adelaide Airport’s Terminal 1.

The company was awarded the tender by submitting a design that will complement the sustainable features of Adelaide’s new airport terminal, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by about 160 to each year — the equivalent to taking 40 cars off the road for one year.

“This system will be visible proof that solar power can deliver environmental and economic benefits to both the residential and business sectors. Every year, 160 MWh of renewable electricity will be generated for Adelaide Airport, creating energy from the sun at the time of day when the state’s energy consumption and power prices are at their peak,” Brooke Miller, regional director for BP Solar Australasia, said.

“Today’s green light for solar power is ultimately a green light for Adelaide. Our partner Hansen Yuncken, who will use a local workforce to install the solar system, is an Adelaide-based company that has grown to become one of Australia’s largest private commercial construction contractors. It was the prime contractor for the construction of Adelaide Airport’s Terminal 1 building and completed Council House 2 in Melbourne, securing Australia’s first 6-star Green Star office rating.”

The solar system will be made up of a total of 760 solar PV panels.