AN office complex in Bendigo is helping boost the city's energy efficiency and sustainability rating.
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The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development occupies the building in McLaren Street.
During its construction, in 2009, it was built to meet a five star environmental and sustainability criteria, which placed it in the top 20 per cent of commercial buildings in Australia for energy performance.
Recently, the building's owners installed a 72kW solar PV system on the roof.
The system is expected to generate 90,000kWh of electricity or 50 per cent of the building's electricity consumption.
It will prevent 107,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide being emitted into the atmosphere.
Bendigo Sustainability Group's Keith Reynard said it was a great initiative.
"Congratulations to the building owners whose foresight and pioneering spirit has created a highly efficient commercial office building," Mr Reynard said.
"Given the vast amount of vacant commercial roof space across Bendigo, this project highlights the enormous potential for new and existing buildings to achieve a much higher efficiency rating and energy cost savings."
Currently the building achieves a five star National Australian Built Environment Rating System but it is anticipated the new system will elevate the building to achieve a six star energy rating.
The new system is placing the office at the forefront of buildings in Australia, Mr Reynard said.
Alistair Smith and Neil Keyte, who co-own the building, said they had always been interested in pushing the boundaries of technology.
"To achieve a high sustainability rating makes perfect financial sense as it not only reduces the cost of waste, but having a highly efficient and innovative building adds value from a rental and a resale perspective and more importantly protects our environment from unnecessary degradation," Mr Smith said.