In 2016 Footscray Community Arts, with the support of donors and local partners, invested in 40 kilowatts of solar panels, a Tesla Powerwall Battery System and energy-efficient LED lights to the centre’s Roslyn Smorgon Gallery, Performance Space and reception area to reduce our carbon footprint.

We are proud to report that the sustainability campaign, dubbed ‘Turn the Lights On’ has reduced our carbon footprint by 100 tonnes of CO2 emissions — the equivalent of planting close to 2500 trees — saving us more than $20,000 in utilities costs since installation.

The move toward renewable resources has made Footscray Community Arts a net exporter of solar energy over the sunnier months of the year. In the first quarter of 2020 alone, Footscray Community Arts returned 8333kWh to the grid — that’s the equivalent of powering a family home for 203 days!

The ‘Turn the Lights On’ campaign will have an enduring legacy of environmental and financial impact on the centre for years to come. A warm thank you to all the friends of Footscray Community Arts who donated, including major supporters Creative Partnerships Australia, The People’s Solar and the Aesop Foundation.

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1 – Solar panel installation, 2016.