Solar farms

We’re building solar farms at our treatment plants, helping renewable energy. Better for Melbourne and our planet.

Along with hydropower and bioenergy, solar is one of the ways we’re generating renewable energy at our facilities – helping to protect our environment for future generations.

How solar panels work

Solar panels contain photovoltaic cells, placed between two layers of semiconducting material: one positively charged, and one negatively charged. These release electrons when hit with the photons from sunlight, creating an electric field.

Our solar farms use ‘bifacial’ panels that can generate energy from both sides. The panels are attached to a rotating bar that uses sensors to follow the sun, maximising energy production all year round.

Our solar projects

A small-scale solar array was built at our Somerton Water Pump Station in 2022. We've also built two larger solar farms at our water and sewage treatment plants.

Winneke Solar Farm

Our new Winneke Solar Farm helps power the Winneke Water Treatment Plant, which treats water from Sugarloaf Reservoir nearby. 

A walking track surrounds the solar farm, allowing the public to see it in action.

Key facts:

• Number of panels: 19,000 (over 10 hectares)
• Power production: 12,400 megawatt hours per year
• Emissions reduction: 12,000 tonnes of carbon per year (equal to the amount generated by 2500 households)

In an Australian first, we used terrain tracking sensors to build the farm on the area’s sloping hills. This helped us install the panels with only minimal disturbances to the soil, protecting water quality in the reservoir.

Eastern Treatment Plant Solar Farm

Our solar farm at the Eastern Treatment Plant is one of Australia’s largest ‘behind-the-meter’ solar installations.

Key facts:

• Number of panels: 39,000
• Power production: 30 gigawatt hours per year
• Emissions reduction: 28,800 tonnes of carbon per year (equal to the amount generated by 6,000 households)