Going green in the City of Melbourne
Residents in Carlton and other suburbs in the City of Melbourne could soon be affected by a major development that will increase sustainability. Called the Rooftop Project, the City of Melbourne has recognised an incredible opportunity exists right above their heads. It aims to have as many properties as possible in the region install solar panels, green vegetation or both, on their roofs.
Findings revealed that there is the potential to create 637 hectares of solar panels and 259 hectares of cool roofs.
A November 10 release by the council announced that it has already mapped out every rooftop in the region to examine just how much actual usable space there is for solar, green and cool roofs.
“Rooftops in central Melbourne make up 880 hectares of space, which is more than five times the size of Melbourne’s largest park, Royal Park,” said Lord Mayor Robert Doyle after experts inspected aerial photographs of the area.
Findings revealed that there is the potential to create 637 hectares of solar panels and 259 hectares of cool roofs. Furthermore, there is also the space to house 236 and 328 hectares of heavy and lightweight green roofs. It’s also noted that vegetated rooftops are better fitted for CBD properties like what you’ll find in the Docklands area. But what are the actual benefits of these implementations, and how do they affect you and the environment?
Going green
Let’s first take a look at solar energy. Energy Matters breaks down the process quite simply, and shows that only a few components are actually installed in your home. Solar panels absorb sunlight and convert it into 240V AC electricity, which is used to power your home. Any excess energy is then fed back into the main power grid.
Green and cool roofs take on a slightly more passive application. The prior involves cultivating layers of green landscapes on your rooftop in a special soil substitution medium. This abundance of vegetation will not only look bright and vibrant, but help to stabalise your property’s temperature in both warmer and colder months.
A 2011 research report by the City of Melbourne indicates that cool roofs deflect solar heat and release absorbed radiation back into the atmosphere more rapidly than standard counterparts. This can be achieved by painting them in white or special Cool Roof Paint.
Whether you’re living in North Melbourne or elsewhere, these applications will help you be far less dependent on generator-produced energy, which in Melbourne, is in the majority produced by burning fossil fuels such as coal. In this way, we can all do our part in preserving the environment.