STC switches on rooftop solar array

MEDIA RELEASE COURTESY SYDNEY THEATRE COMPANY

Solar energy took centre stage at Sydney Theatre Company (STC) today as Artistic Directors Andrew Upton and Cate Blanchett officially ‘switched on’ the massive solar array on the rooftop of the Company’s home-base, The Wharf, on Sydney Harbour. Comprised of 1906 Suntech plut0 solar panels covering the length of the roof (enough to power a staggering 46 average homes), it is Australia’s second-largest rooftop solar array and a major component of STC’s comprehensive Greening The Wharf program.

Andrew Upton and Cate Blanchett said: “Theatre has always been a place to stimulate visionary conversations and practical action. We hope this solar array here at Sydney Theatre Company’s home-base, The Wharf, will become a 21st Century symbol of which Sydney can be proud. Along with other measures such as the rainwater harvesting and reticulation, we hope these panels will inspire the hundreds of thousands of people who visit this burgeoning arts precinct each year, to take their own steps in tackling the challenges of climate change. All of us at STC are very aware that we are temporary caretakers of this extraordinary space. We celebrate that great public responsibility and hope that these measures will be a wonderful legacy for future users of The Wharf.”

The premium-quality solar panels, installed by DCM Solar, generate electricity by harnessing the power of the sun. The solar power system, along with energy-saving measures, will provide up to 70 per cent of STC’s power supply.

The solar cell technology utilized for the state-of-the-art installation was developed by Suntech through its long-term research partnership with the UNSW School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering. Suntech invests several million dollars each year in collaborations with leading Australian solar research institutions and the high-profile array provides an opportunity for UNSW to showcase its world-leading PV technology. Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech’s Founder and Chairman, who trained at UNSW as a young man, said: “Twenty years ago, while performing solar research at the University of New South Wales, few people believed that solar technology could ever power a building such as The Wharf. This project demonstrates that anyone today can look up and harness nature’s original source of energy and life.”

The array is just one part of STC’s comprehensive Greening The Wharf program, believed to be a first for any theatre company in the world in its scale and comprehensive approach to sustainability. The Company is engaged in extensive energy efficiency measures and is introducing an innovative rainwater harvesting, storage and reticulation system which will supply 100% of The Wharf’s nonpotable water requirements (total estimated water savings after rainwater harvesting will be more that 8 million litres per annum). It is also engaged in best practice waste handling and recycling, exploring ways to make STC productions more sustainable, and has an extensive community engagement and education plan.

Greening The Wharf is funded by a unique private and public partnership involving philanthropy, corporate support and Federal and State government funding. In addition to an extraordinary philanthropic donation of the Shi’s Family Foundation valued at $2m, in partnership with the University of NSW, the Australian Government’s Green Precincts Fund has made a major contribution of $1.2m. A significant share of $1.17 million from the NSW Government’s Public Facilities Program (a combined application with Arts NSW which administers the grant on behalf of all tenants of Pier 4/5), supports the program and enables the rainwater harvesting project plus water and energy efficiency drives to be implemented not just at STC but within other companies at The Wharf. In addition, earlier this year, EnergyAustralia became the lead corporate partner and Energy Advisor for Greening The Wharf in a 3-year corporate partnership. Generous gifts from individuals, Cameron and Ilse O’Reilly, Peter Hall and Laura Smith and David and Claire Paradice, have also contributed towards funding total costs of the Greening the Wharf project of $5.2m.

Sydney Theatre Company has also raised significant in-kind corporate support from engineering, sciences and project delivery firm Sinclair Knight Merz, global leader in energy management and advanced metering technology Landis+Gyr, design architects Tropman and Tropman, waste and recycling companies Veolia and Packaging Stewardship Forum, bathroom specialists Caroma and KPMG, who prepared the business case for the project.

Sydney Theatre Company has been a major force in Australian drama since its establishment more than 30 years ago. From its home-base, The Wharf, situated at Pier 4/5 Walsh Bay, formerly a working pier, ideas are grown and collaborations born, sets are built, costumes sewn and all this in the same remarkable building where productions are being rehearsed and presented, suspended above the waters of Sydney Harbour.

Andrew Upton and Cate Blanchett have been the Artistic Directors of the Company since January 2008. At the time of their appointment they indicated that a significant project they wished to undertake early was a comprehensive environmental plan with a view to making the Company a world leader in the arts in this important area. Over the next 25 years, it is estimated that the Greening The Wharf project will deliver water savings of 37.5 million litres; 5,000MWh in energy savings and 10,350 MWh of power generated via the PV array.

The Wharf is at the centre of a burgeoning arts precinct. On Sunday 5 December 2010, Open Day at The Wharf will see arts companies and other businesses, including STC, Bangarra and Sydney Dance Company, throw open their doors, inviting visitors to explore this vibrant cultural hub.