The new Cairns solar powered Botanic Gardens Visitors’ Centre, servicing the Cairns Botanic Gardens and Tanks Arts Centre, has been built with sustainability in mind.
The building will generate renewable energy – with 104 solar panels on the roof of the structure. This 20 kw system will generate the equivalent energy usage of five to six average homes a day. Excess energy will be fed back into the electricity grid, providing clean energy.
The Cairns solar powered visitors’ Centre building has a rainwater catchment system, and the water collected will be used in the building for flushing toilets and other non-potable uses. Purple pipes have been installed to make use of recycled water from Council’s sewerage treatment plant which will be used for irrigation of the gardens in the future.
The building design reduces the need for air-conditioning through use of louvres and fans to control air flow in each room.
I developed an interest in the Australian energy and construction sectors more than a decade ago and have since closely followed the trends, technologies and developments shaping both industries. My involvement in the Australian solar market began in 2008, and over the years I have built strong connections with professionals, businesses and organisations across the construction, solar and renewable energy sectors in Australia and internationally. These connections include solar panel and inverter manufacturers, electrical and construction industry professionals, software developers creating tools to quote, monitor and manage solar power systems, and media organisations that closely follow developments across energy, construction and renewable technologies. Today, I continue to contribute as an industry advocate, author and commentator, sharing practical insights and information to help Australian consumers and businesses better understand solar power, energy technologies, construction-related developments and the changing Australian energy landscape.
