First Australian Building to Generate its Own Electricity Through Solar Panel Façade

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19 December 2024

550 Spencer in West Melbourne is the first Australian building to generate its own electricity through a solar panel façade.

The technology, which replaces traditional rooftop panels, frees up space for a rooftop terrace garden.

The eight storey building, designed by Kennon, features 1182 PV panels in a façade that harvests sunlight and coverts it to electricity. The solar energy is used immediately, eliminating the need for battery storage and ensuring zero carbon emissions. 

Picture: a CGI showing the building's façade covered in PV panels. Image Credit: Neoscape 

The windows are south facing to reduce solar heat gain, optimising the potential of the system. The system harvests fifty times more energy than that of rooftop solar panels on standard residential property. 

This will save the building an estimated 70 tonnes of carbon emissions annually and has earned it a minimum 5 star Green Star and 5 star NABERS energy efficiency rating.

Other buildings that have solar panels on their façades include the Copenhagen International School for Nordhavn and La Seine Musical near Paris. 

Picture: a CGI showing the entire building's frontage. Image Credit: Neoscape 

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 19 December 2024

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