Solar panels installed across 59 bus and train stations in Perth

Western Australia’s state government is fitting 50 of Perth’s train stations with solar, while eight of its major bus stations have already been fitted out with panels and a ninth is on its way.

The electricity generated by the solar panels on the bus stations power lighting, ticket machines, signage and driver facilities, while at the train stations it will also be used to power lifts and escalators.

“Over 1,000kW of solar panels are being installed on train and bus stations – once completed these are expected to produce enough energy to power the equivalent of 360 households per year,” Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said.

Solar panels, all 450W, have already been installed at East Perth train station, which now has 80; Rockingham, which has 74; and Currambine, which has 88. Work is to soon to begin at Murdoch and Bull Creek stations, with Edgewater, Butler, Thornlie, Clarkson and Leederville to follow.

As for the remaining 40 train stations, the government says a feasibility study is underway and the full rollout anticipated to be completed by mid-2022.

Eight bus stations have also had solar panels installed, those are: Booragoon, Kwinana, Morley, Victoria Park, James Street, Mirrabooka, Henley Brook, Optus Stadium in Perth’s city centre, and work is currently underway at Leederville bus station. The size of these installations, however, is not known.

The state government noted solar was last year installed on High Wycombe Station as part of Metronet’s Forrestfield Airport Link.

More than $1.8 million has been allocated to the solar program through the WA Recovery Plan, which aims to support the economy and local jobs following the pandemic.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti added that combined with the state’s electric bus trial in Joondalup beginning in 2022, the government is investing in new technologies to make public transport systems even more sustainable.