Solar power at Queensland Rail train stations
Queensland Rail (QR) is stepping up efforts to improve the environment with a new commitment to introduce green technologies such as solar to its stations.
QR has introduced standards for all new and upgraded stations that specify environmentally sustainable elements must be incorporated into the design.
Where practical, QR will consider using solar panels to ensure their stations make the best use of the sun's energy to generate power, and help reduce QR's greenhouse gas emissions.
Do the bright thing - helping build a virtual solar power station for Queensland
By incorporating solar power into train stations, QR has helped double Queensland's use of solar energy in less than two years, more than three years ahead of schedule. This QR initiative will help create a virtual solar power station, made up of the roofs of Queensland homes and businesses, generating and using solar energy.
What are QR's new environmental standards?
As part of their new standards, QR has committed to investigating the feasibility of installing solar panels at all new or significantly refurbished stations.
This is subject to:
- suitability of the proposed structure including roof size, tilt and orientation
- ability to clean the panels taking into account proximity to the overhead electrification lines
- probability of damage to the panels including visibility and graffiti
- surrounding environmental impacts such as shadows and dust generation.
Where has solar been installed so far?
To date, QR has installed grid connected solar panels at two stations - Indooroopilly and Varsity Lakes. The Indooroopilly station received a $26.5 million upgrade in 2008, incorporating a number of sustainable design features including a 5 kilowatt solar power system.
As a result, Indooroopilly has become the first station on QR's urban rail network to use solar panels that feed back into the electricity grid.
The newly opened Varsity Lakes station is also partially powered by a 2.2 kilowatt solar power system. This station also uses the coastal breezes to provide natural ventilation.
QR is currently capturing data from these stations to determine the benefits of using solar in future stations developments.
Which stations will install solar in the future?
The $55 million Richlands station - set to open in 2011 - will include many environmental features including a 10 kilowatt solar power system which feeds back into the electricity grid. It will be the third station on the QR network to use solar power.
Find out more
Think solar at Queensland Rail stations is a bright idea?
- Discover how solar panels work
- Find out about installing solar panels on your home
- Download a printable version of this information
Contact Us
You can contact us on our hotline, 13 GET SOLAR or 13 438 76527.
Last updated 4 August 2011
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