With more than 610,000 visitors every year, Perth Zoo is one of Western Australia’s major attractions. The Zoo provides visitors the opportunity to encounter the natural world and become involved in conservation action. It is committed to conservation, minimising its impact on the environment and aims to be a leading, working example of environmental sustainability.

SunPower worked closely with the Zoo to develop the project including the design and also assisted in securing funding from the federal government under the Perth Solar City Program.

Stage one of this project involved using all the appropriate roof space across eight buildings within the Zoo, including the elephant barn and reptile enclosure. A total of 303 ultra-efficient SunPower^® panels were installed, delivering a system size of 90.9 kWp.

The second stage, which consisted of 452 solar panels with a system size of 147.8 kWp, was developed into a bus shelter similar to projects SunPower had developed in the United States. The completed project brought the total system size up to 238.7 kWp and 755 ultra-efficient SunPower panels. The system now provides about one-third of the Zoo’s current energy needs and will save up to $100,000 per year in energy costs.

Project Overview

Benefits

• Promotes solar awareness at a popular major Perth visitor attraction
• Provides 370,000kWh of energy per year (one-third of the Zoo’s requirements)
• The installation will save the Zoo up to $100,000 each year in energy costs, allowing them to divert that money to other programs
• SunPower’s aesthetically pleasing installation highlights the Zoo’s commitment to sustainable energy options