3,000 solar panels have been installed, which if laid end-to-end equals about 6kms of continuous solar. And even better, the 1.2 megawatts (MW) capacity system is energised and already generating power.

DFO Homebush Manager, Paul Morgan said: We’re proud to be Australia’s first DFO to introduce renewable energy. The addition of a large-scale solar system will help us better manage our energy use at DFO Homebush and contribute to Vicinity’s Net Zero carbon emissions by 2030 target. The clean energy we’ll generate is also enough to power more than 200 New South Wales homes.

We’ve joined the growing number of Vicinity centres able to utilise clean, renewable energy from their solar installations to help power the centre, reduce our reliance on the national grid and make a positive environmental impact for the local community.

The addition of solar at DFO Homebush also brings Vicinity even closer to the expected 30MW total capacity in 2019. This will provide annual energy generation of over 48,500MWh - enough to power the equivalent of over 8,000 Victorian homes for a year.

Justin Mills, Vicinity’s Chief Strategy Officer said: The new solar installation at DFO Homebush is another demonstration of Vicinity’s ongoing commitment to, and investment in, renewable energy. By embedding innovation, such as solar, in our portfolio we are placing renewable energy at the heart of our communities.

Our large-scale national solar program also includes several innovation firsts for the Australian retail property sector, including Australia’s first retail battery, energy block chain trial, bifacial solar panel and solar glass trials. Combined with our industry-leading solar program, these initiatives will help deliver intelligent energy destinations across Vicinity’s national portfolio.