A NEW solar power installation at Perth Zoo will provide about one-third of the zoo's energy needs and save more than $100,000 a year in energy costs.
Environment Minister Bill Marmion unveiled the 237 kilowatt solar pergola earlier this week.
“The solar pergola bus port runs along the northern perimeter road of the zoo and supports 452 solar panels with a power rating of 146.5kW,” he said.
“The pergola system, combined with the first stage installation commissioned in March last year, provides Perth Zoo with a total of 755 solar panels with a power rating of 237.4kW.
“In the first stage, 303 solar panels were installed across eight zoo buildings, including the elephant barn and reptile exhibit.”
Mr Marmion said Perth Zoo was one of five sites chosen for major solar installations as part of the Perth Solar City program.
The installations were an environmentally sustainable source of energy that reduced carbon emissions, he said.