Vicinity Centre finishes solar carparks at Elizabeth, Castle Plaza
One of the country’s biggest shopping centre owners has finished converting two carparks at Elizabeth and Castle Plaza into giant solar farms.
North & North East
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ENOUGH solar panels to cover Adelaide Oval have been installed in the carparks of two Adelaide shopping centres.
Vicinity Centres has spent the past 12 months putting 1830 solar-shaded parking spaces at the Elizabeth City Centre and Castle Plaza, Edwardstown.
The 12,000 solar panels are in addition to roof top power plants already operating at the two locations.
Vicinity’s chief strategy officer, Justin Mills, said the projected annual renewable energy generation from both sites in the first 12 months was more than 11.5 gigawatt hours (GWh) — which could power over 2000 homes for a year.
“It’s an incredible milestone for our customers, retailers and our teams who have been patiently watching these projects come to life around Elizabeth City Centre and Castle Plaza,” he said.
“More than 12,000 solar panels have been laid across the two car parks, covering approximately 22,000 sqm, which is larger than Adelaide Oval.”
Mr Mills said Vicinity was using solar energy to power 17 shopping centres in five states. The $73 million program includes installing electric vehicle charging stations at Elizabeth and Castle Plaza.
The solar panels in the centres’ car parks have been placed on metal structures which enable vehicles to be parked underneath in shade.
“While we’re keeping cars cool over the summer months, the shades also help power our centres,” said Mr Mills.
Vicinity was trialling a 548kWh energy storage battery at Castle Plaza.
“The battery provides an on-site solution for storing and using any of the excess solar energy generated on-site,” he said.
Mr Mill said Vicinity was committed to reducing its energy consumption and carbon footprint.
“We’re helping to create more energy-resilient communities which we see as an important role as we enter the hotter summer months.”