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Brisbane company to install Australia's largest solar rooftop system

Acting Energy Minister Karen Struthers, together with Professor Paul Meredith from the University of Queensland, today announced Brisbane company Ingenero as the winning tender team to install Australia's largest roof top solar power system at the University's St Lucia Campus.

Ms Struthers congratulated the company on their successful tender for this globally significant solar power project.

"The Queensland Government is investing $1.5 million to support the development of this 1.2 megawatt solar photovoltaic project at UQ," Ms Struthers said.

"This project will do more than provide power to the University of Queensland; it will also generate data on energy management and the impact of solar on our electricity network.

"This massive project is a great opportunity to build Queensland's reputation as the Solar State, and support the growth of our solar industry right here in Brisbane."

Ms Struthers said Ingenero had partnered with one of the world's largest and most innovative solar PV companies, Chinese company Trina Solar Pty Ltd, which will supply the solar panels for the installation.

Ingenero and Trina Solar Ltd will begin work on the project next month, with the full installation expected to be complete by the end of the year.

"Our government is working to help build the state's solar industry and double Queensland's solar energy over the next five years," Ms Struthers said.

"We have announced a $115 million solar package in this year's State budget for a range of initiatives that will help create a 500 megawatt virtual solar power station by 2015 and turn Queensland into the Solar State.

"The University of Queensland Solar Roof project will go a long way to helping us achieve this goal.

"The University has estimated that the panels will generate about six per cent of the university's power supply and save in the order of $6 million in electricity charges in the next 15 years.

"Further, it has been estimated that this system will save about 1750 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year - that is equivalent to taking 335 cars off the road each year.

"This project is a fantastic example of the benefits of solar power, and will ensure Queensland continues to lead the way in renewable energy development."

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