Perth Zoo presents “Solar for Elephants”

Today, we have a story of solar for elephants, along with many other animals, at the Perth Zoo in Western Australia.



Earlier this month, the Perth Zoo unveiled the city’s largest solar site installation: a 91 kW SunPower system spanning the zoo’s elephant barn and seven additional structures. This 303-panel installation is the first of two stages in a $2.7 million renewable generation project at the zoo. With over 300 sunny days each year, this installation will provide the lion’s share of energy to several zoo buildings.



Perth Zoo went solar to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability and conservation. The installations around the zoo and accompanying educational materials will serve as an ideal teaching tool for the 630,000 visitors who pass through each year. Many young children and their families will learn about the environmental benefits of solar energy while checking out the elephant den.

The Perth Zoo’s solar investment was made possible through joint funding by the state and federal governments. It is part of the Perth Solar City program, a $73.5 million initiative aimed at making solar power a viable alternative for local communities and encouraging local residents and businesses to consider solar energy solutions.

Government solar installations like that at the Perth Zoo are incredibly valuable in influencing the uptake of solar energy. Not only do these installations make financial sense for local governments looking to diminish costs and protect themselves against energy volatility, they also show others that solar investments are possible. That’s a lesson the resident of Perth, and the elephants, won’t forget.