Earlsville shops get solar hub

CAIRNS’ Earlville Stockland shopping centre will undergo a $3.3 million alternative energy installation as part of the corporate retail giant’s national retail solar rollout.

The project will provide clean, green, renewable energy to the centre and its retailers.

Solar photovoltaic cell specialist Verdia will install a 1726KW system of 4483 solar panels that will cover a roof area of about 8877 sqm.

The system is expected to generate about 2,625,000kWh of renewable energy a year, enough to power 358 homes.

It is expected to be switched on in September this year.

Stockland Cairns centre manager Ciaran Tuite said the business was “extremely proud” to be part of the project.

“We are committed to offering customers a more sustainable shopping experience and the solar project at Stockland Cairns is an important step towards a more sustainable future,” he said

Stockland has committed to a $23.5 million national investment in solar. Combined, the project is expected to produce 17.2GWh of energy every year, the equivalent to driving an electric car around the world 2381 times.

The rollout will add to Stockland’s existing solar capacity to deliver a total of 14.56MW by 2020.

Stockland general manager sustainability Davina Rooney said solar energy was an important step for renewable energy in Australia.

“It plays a vital role in the transition to a lower carbon energy future,” she said.

“We’ve already invested more than $4.5 million in successful solar projects.”