Greens want Queensland to back solar carparks in shopping centres   

Date
    October 23, 2015
    Brisbane Times

A renewable energy developer who wants to roll out solar carports at shopping centres across Queensland says he isn't trying to take on the mining industry.

Shakra Energy's managing director Sam Khalil joined Greens senators Sarah Hanson-Young and Larissa Waters to unveil Australia's "largest carport solar development" in Brisbane on Friday.   

"We're not trying to take on the mining industry on - we're only trying to generate 20 to 30 to 40 per cent of what high energy users need (and) reduce the carbon emissions," he told AAP.

"We're not here to say let's go head to head. We're here to say - allow us to generate cleaner electricity, 20-30 per cent of the energy needed, more jobs and look past your nose."

Mr Khalil said it made sense that shopping centres should be able to use sunlit carports to generate their own power, saving them money and providing shade for customer's vehicles.

He said some businesses were forking out $10-15 million each year for electricity so it was a "no brainer" for businesses to install the systems and save up to 40 per cent on power.

It would also create jobs and reduce carbon emissions, he said.   

Shakra Energy installed more than 300 solar panels on shade structures on top of PA Central in Brisbane's south, which is expected to generate 30 to 40 per cent of the energy needed to run the car park and several businesses at the centre.

The total cost was about $250,000, although this would vary from project to project, Mr Khalil said.

He said there had been a lot of interest from shopping centres across the state, although he wouldn't reveal which ones.

Mr Khalil said he had some positive responses from state and federal politicians but others were more interested in the coal seam gas industry.

"They're probably looking at the contracts that are probably already tied up with those large fat cats, which is quite sad because, as you can see, the agriculture industry is suffering," he said.

Senator Waters challenged the Palaszczuk government to champion the idea and make Queensland a leader in clean energy innovation.

"While coal is in structural decline, renewable energy is on the up and up, generating new jobs and offering trade opportunities," she said.   

Clean energy alternatives would also help in the ongoing fight against global warming, Senator Hanson-Young said.

We should have solar on every roof top, every where.

Why not?

We could have a flourishing solar power industry.

Why don't we?

I recall reading a few months back one of our Ford dealers had installed it over his large building to supply most of their electricity.

Good idea for all large buildings imo, although I suspect shopping malls may have individual metering , then again thinking about it, may be not.

Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Oct 24^th, 2015 at 7:46am:


Nothing free about it at all. Those panels cost a lot of money and have a 10-15 year lifespan. Are they cheaper than mains power? Ultimately yes, but for most, only of they can get paid for the power they generate back into the grid. Otherwise, they are loss makers since most households are empty durign the day.

The Dutch are building solar bike paths - they light up at night and they look fantastically good.

http://www.dezeen.com/2014/11/12/daan-roosegaarde-van-gogh-bicycle-path-glowing-...

Soren wrote on Oct 24^th, 2015 at 4:32pm:


it's not quite solar ...

The surface of the Van Gogh-Roosegaarde Bicycle Path is coated with a special paint that uses energy gathered during the day to glow after dark

they do look good though. I wonder how long it lasts before it needs re coating?

Swagman wrote on Oct 24^th, 2015 at 12:18pm:

Soren wrote on Oct 24^th, 2015 at 4:32pm:


Using the same technology use for glow-int-the-dark toys for 100 years.