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Sustainable Living

Brisbane City Council's solar power investment

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The Council's solar investment is reducing carbon emissions. More than 7.5 megawatts of solar panels now power sites in Brisbane. This helps create a cleaner and greener future.

Council is working to keep Brisbane clean and sustainable. We are taking real steps to cut our carbon emissions by at least 30% by 2031-32 compared to 2016-17 levels. Council's goal is to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

One way Council achieves this is by installing solar power systems and delivering energy-efficient upgrades to our facilities.

Council-leased community facilities

Council-leased community facilities used by community organisations and sports clubs are set to receive solar upgrades. Stage 2 of the Community Facility Solar and Energy Efficiency Program will be delivered in partnership with Brisbane Sustainability Agency.

This financial year, we’re installing 500 kilowatts of solar power across 26 community facilities. This reduces our carbon footprint, lowers costs, eases energy demand, and keeps more money in our local clubs.

Clubs benefiting from these solar upgrades include:

  • The Gap Men’s Shed
  • Scouts Association of Australia
  • Western Districts Baseball Club
  • Taringa Rovers
  • Brisbane Bridge Centre.

Stage 2 of the Community Facility Solar and Energy Efficiency Program is funded by the Australian Government and Brisbane City Council.

Pools and aquatic centres

Through our Empowering Aquatics program we've recently installed solar systems at 7 pools and aquatic centres across Brisbane. Pools that received this upgrade include Acacia Ridge Leisure Centre, Sandgate Aquatic Centre and the Emily Seebohm Aquatic Centre.

Using solar power lowers electricity costs. This means we can spend that money on other improvements at these pools and aquatic centres.

The Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program helped fund these projects.

Solar power drives sustainability

Council's buildings and facilities now have over 7.5 megawatts of solar panels installed on them. Locations included Kangaroo Point Bridge and Brisbane International Cycle Park in Murarrie.

This will cut Council’s carbon footprint by more than 8,600 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent each year. This reduction is similar to removing about 2,900 cars from the road.

These solar installations generate about 10,700 megawatt hours of electricity each year. This amount can power 2,000 homes in Brisbane for a year.

Using solar power lowers electricity costs. This means we can spend that money on other improvements at pools and aquatic centres in Brisbane.

More information 

Learn more about the following topics in Council's Brisbane. Clean, Green, Sustainable document:

  • sustainable city development
  • environmental management
  • our clean and green sustainable goals
  • future aspirations for the city.