Solar energy has been integrated into Australia Post’s Melbourne CBD headquarters.
National solar solutions provider Energy Matters recently installed a 6kW solar power system as a part of a long term commitment by Australia Post to minimize its carbon footprint.
Situated on the rooftop of the 22 storey Bourke St building, the system was designed to produce maximum output with the little roof space available, in order to power the building’s signage.
30 solar panels were chosen for their high efficiency, and a Sunny Mini Central 6000TL inverter was selected to convert output from the panels. In order to cope with the high winds experienced on the rooftop; Energy Matters installed its Australian designed and manufactured Sunlock rack mounting system; equipment that the company also uses on home solar power installations.
The system will generate over 9,000 kilowatts of clean electricity annually and offset nearly 12 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year – the equivalent of carbon emissions produced by 12 postie bikes over the same time period.
Hugh Murtagh, project manager at Energy Matters, said that the height of the building posed some interesting logistical challenges for the install team.
“Moving the equipment to the roof took nearly an entire day”, Mr Murtagh said, “but luckily the weather was very good for the week when we installed and the view was spectacular.”
Australia Post moved its Melbourne head quarters from Exhibition Street to Bourke Street at the end of 2009. One of the main objectives for this was to incorporate environmentally sustainable building design. The new building has a 5 Star Green Rating for Office Design.
