Australian Nuclear Facility Embraces Solar Power, Saving Millions
ANSTO, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, is making significant strides in sustainability by installing a substantial rooftop solar system at its Clayton campus. This move is set to save the organisation a substantial $2 million over the next five years. The Clayton campus is home to the Synchrotron, a facility where electrons are accelerated to near-light speed for advanced material research at the atomic level. The energy-intensive process of accelerating electrons at speeds close to 299,792 kilometres per second necessitates a considerable amount of power.
The installation of a 1.59 MW rooftop solar system, comprising 3,000 panels provided by RACV Solar, marks a milestone for ANSTO. This solar system, one of the largest in the state, is projected to save two million kilowatt hours annually, translating to the significant cost savings of $2 million within the initial five years of operation. Greg Edye, RACV’s head of energy, highlighted the complexity of the project in terms of engineering and technical expertise required for its successful implementation.
Commitment to Sustainability and Research
Professor Michael James, the director of the Synchrotron, expressed the organisation’s commitment to sustainability through this solar initiative. Going solar was described as a “no-brainer” due to the expansive rooftops of the
