Melbourne Trams Cut Depot Emissions with Solar

Melbourne tram network installs 860 solar panels at seven depots, cutting 500 tonnes CO2 yearly

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Yarra Trams Adds 860 Solar Panels Across Depots

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Melbourne's tram network now runs on cleaner energy after Yarra Trams completed installation of 860 rooftop solar panels across seven depots. The system generates more than 500 megawatt-hours of electricity annually and cuts CO2 emissions by over 500 tonnes per year, transit officials said. The project, which began in July 2022 and wrapped up in February 2023, received $1.5 million in funding from the Victorian Government's Greener Government Buildings program.

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The solar installation represents a major step in reducing the environmental footprint of Melbourne's tram depot operations. Transit agencies worldwide are increasingly turning to renewable energy to power maintenance facilities and reduce operating costs. The panels power daily depot operations including lighting, equipment, and administrative functions while feeding excess electricity back into the grid. Melbourne's entire tram fleet already runs on electricity fully offset by solar-generated power from two solar farms in northern Victoria, making the depot solar project an extension of the system's broader sustainability commitment.

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Southbank Depot became the first facility to receive solar panels in July 2022, with a 200-panel array generating nearly 100 kilowatts of capacity. The rollout continued across six additional depots over the following months, with Kew Depot completing the network in February 2023. The 860-panel system is expected to save approximately $370,000 on energy costs annually, officials said. Yarra Trams is also installing skylights and energy-efficient LED lighting in five depots, which will reduce emissions by a further 700 tonnes per year.

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The project launched in July 2022 with the Southbank Depot installation and reached completion in February 2023 when Kew Depot's panels came online. The Victorian Government's Greener Government Buildings program provided $1.5 million in funding for the initiative. Officials said the phased approach allowed the transit agency to test and refine the installation process across different depot configurations before completing the full network rollout.

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Riders won't see changes to tram service, but the depot solar panels contribute to the system's overall environmental goals while reducing operational costs. The energy savings and emissions reductions support Melbourne's broader climate commitments. Moovit provides real-time updates and trip planning for Melbourne's tram network and transit systems worldwide.