Melbourne Market’s power play

The Melbourne Market is generating power from otherwise empty space. 

A solar power system has been installed on the rooftop of a new truck parking and loading zone at the Epping market site.

Made up of 5,432 solar panels – placed on the newly built loading zone and an existing warehouse ­– the system is the largest of its kind in Greater North-East Victoria. 

It was switched on at the beginning of May and is expected to offset 10 per cent of the wholesale market’s annual energy usage, according to the Melbourne Market Authority.

The system is stage one of a three-stage project.

“Turning on our rooftop solar panels is an exciting milestone,” said Mark Maskiell, chief executive of the Melbourne Market Authority. “Once the entire project is complete, the market will host a 10 megawatt rooftop solar panel system, which will be one of the largest rooftop installations in Australia.”

Maskiell said the market’s purpose-built facilities and recycling initiatives made it an industry leader in environmental sustainability. 

Last financial year Melbourne Market achieved a 98 per cent recycling rate through donation partnerships with Foodbank, FareShare and Melbourne Zoo, as well as a partnership with Yarra Valley Water, which converts organic waste, not fit for consumption, into energy. 

“We have a strong commitment to reducing our environmental impact and ensuring the market is environmentally sustainable for many years to come,” said Maskiell.