Bayside Council will examine whether more of its buildings can support rooftop solar, with a future report to map existing systems and identify suitable sites for expansion.
Councillors approved the investigation on 26 August 2026. The report will also examine whether changes to the Australian Government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme could improve the financial case for larger rooftop systems on Council facilities.
What is already installed
Council says rooftop solar is currently installed at 11 facilities. Together, those systems have 454 kW of capacity and are estimated to generate about 506,600 kWh of electricity each year.
Battery storage is installed at three Council sites, with a combined storage capacity of 190 kWh.
Where Council is looking next
Priority projects include the Botany Aquatic Centre and an expansion of solar capacity at Green Street Depot. Council says an application for Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme support for the Green Street Depot expansion is already underway.
When assessing future sites, Council says it will focus on facilities with high electricity use, strong daytime demand, steady year-round use and enough suitable roof or site space.
What the investigation will decide
The Council decision does not mean every public building will receive solar panels. The next report is intended to identify where larger installations are technically practical and financially worthwhile.
That should give councillors a clearer picture of existing capacity, possible new sites, likely costs and the effect available renewable-energy incentives could have on future projects.
Council also says all of its buildings and operations currently use 100 per cent renewable electricity. Additional rooftop generation would therefore form part of its wider energy strategy rather than being the only source of renewable power used by Council.