Woolworths to test renewable energy at petrol outlets

Australian supermarket Woolworths is testing the use of renewable energy to partly power its petrol stations. The company switched on the solar panels at its Belconnen outlet, in northern Canberra, in what it claims to be an Australian first. It is the first time a major retail company has generated on-site renewable energy. The retailer expects the panels to generate about 15% (or 60 kilowatts) of the site’s total energy needs, enough to power store and bowser lighting. If the Belconnen trial and another at Hume in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) are successful, solar panels will be rolled out at other outlets throughout the country, but only where incentives are offered, the company said. (March 23, 2010)