Solar panels containing new high-efficiency Pluto photovoltaic cells will help power the Sydney Theatre Company (STC) as one of several initiatives in STC's Greening the Wharf project. The STC’s historic Finger Wharf building will be outfitted with low-cost Pluto cells developed by UNSW and China’s Suntech Power Holdings Ltd – the world's largest crystalline silicon photovoltaic module manufacturer.

The project is the brainchild of the STC’s joint artistic directors Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton. Its main initiatives are the installation of the new Pluto-PV array, extensive energy efficiency measures, and an innovative rainwater harvesting, storage and reticulation system that will supply all of the company’s non-potable water requirements.

The 500kW Pluto solar system, which should be completed in 2010, will be one of the largest-capacity rooftop solar projects in Australia. Combined with the energy-saving measures, the initiative will shrink STC’s grid-drawn power by up to 70 percent. This means the company’s carbon emissions will decline by more than 500 tonnes annually – the equivalent of taking more than 150 passenger cars off the road for one year.

The family foundation of Dr Zhengrong and Vivienne Shi has donated $2 million to help fund the Greening the Wharf project and the Australian Government will provide $1.2 million of funding.

Dr Shi is Chairman and CEO of Suntech Power Holdings. He completed his PhD at UNSW’s ARC Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence in 1992 before founding Suntech in Wuxi, in China’s Jiangsu Province, in 2001.

Suntech has several joint research projects with the ARC Photovoltaic Centre of Excellence and is one of several companies that license UNSW’s world leading solar cell technology.

"The high efficiency Pluto technology is a fantastic example of successful integration of world-class technology with commercial manufacturing techniques,” says Dr Shi. “There is enormous potential for solar to sustainably power our energy needs and we will continue collaborating with the University of NSW in connection with new generations of technology that facilitate more widespread adoption of solar."

"It is a pleasure to support one of the cultural centerpieces of Sydney to reduce its carbon footprint through these sustainability initiatives. I hope that this project increases the awareness of climate change and demonstrates the huge role that solar can play in mitigating carbon emissions in Australia today."

Over the next 25 years, it is estimated that the Greening the Wharf project will deliver 10,350 MWh of power generated via the PV array, 5,000MWh in energy savings and water savings of 37.5 million litres.

David Gonski, the Chancellor of UNSW has commended the new initiative:
"I am delighted that UNSW is part of this exciting project, and I congratulate the Sydney Theatre Company on a wonderful initiative. It is not only a great example of corporate leadership – it is also means that world leading solar cell technology, jointly developed by UNSW and Suntech Power, is showcased in the heart of Sydney.”
Suntech Power Holdings Ltd is the world's leading solar energy company as measured by production output of crystalline silicon solar modules.

The company designs, develops, manufactures, and markets premium quality, high-output, cost-effective and environmentally friendly solar products for electric power applications in the residential, commercial, industrial, and public utility sectors. Suntech's patent-pending Pluto technology for crystalline silicon solar cells improves power output by up to 12 percent compared to conventional production methods.

NewSouth Innovations Pty Limited (NSi) commercialises research and technologies developed at the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

Read more:
Theatre will lead the way in sustainable technology.

Media contacts
Dan Gaffney, NewSouth Innovations, 0411 156 015
Peter Trute, University of NSW, 0410 271 826
Jenny Lu, Suntech Power Australia, 0422 666 147 jennylu@suntech-power.com.au