Independently owned Renaissance Supa IGA supermarket in Hawthorn, Victoria, is taking huge steps to reduce its carbon footprint by switching to solar power for its energy usage.

The Victorian supermarket is playing its part in harvesting clean energy from its rooftop and recently acquired a grid connected solar power system, supplied and installed by national solar solutions provider Energy Matters.

Covering 32.5 square metres, the solar system will generate an annual production of at least 7,658 kilowatt-hours. This represents a carbon emissions reduction equivalent of nearly 10 tonnes per year for the supermarket.

According to Renaissance Supa IGA Hawthorn store owner, George Altman, Supermarkets are large users of power. As the world turns to more sustainable and green power use, we have decided to augment our power usage with solar energy.

“Our decision was inevitable as we are in a highly educated and socially conscious area of Melbourne, and our customers and staff support this initiative. Most supermarkets have large flat roofs and are an ideal candidate for solar power, he added.