Cairns Australia, March 28, 2025 - The Cairns Aquarium has taken its sustainability commitment to the next level with the completion of a 401kW rooftop solar system - a significant leap in reducing its carbon footprint and increasing energy resilience. Queensland solar retailer, Solenergy Group has completed the installation, and made possible through the combined efforts of GoodWe, GreenSketch, and co-funding from the Queensland Government’s Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure Fund (BRTI).

(From left to right - Daniel Leipnik, CEO of Cairns Aquarium - Bree James MP, Assistant Minister for Tourism - Mark Ridgley, Director of Solenergy Group - Dean Williamson, GoodWe Country Manager - Usama Aslam, OSW Head of Products & Marketing)

The new system now supplies 100% of the power needed for the Aquarium’s critical Life Support Systems (LSS), which operate around the clock to sustain more than 16,000 aquatic creatures. Installed across nearly 4,000 sqm of rooftop space, the setup includes almost 700 solar panels and four high-efficiency 100kW HT inverters by GoodWe and GreenSketch.

As a solar design platform developed by OSW, GreenSketch played a key role in optimising the system’s design and performance. From early-stage planning to hardware contributions, GreenSketch helped deliver a seamless installation on one of Cairns’ most power-intensive sites.

“This project involved unique engineering challenges and tight operational requirements,”

said Mark Ridgley, Director of Solenergy Group.

“GreenSketch and GoodWe’s support allowed us to deliver a system that meets the Aquarium’s needs without compromise - a reliable, high-performance solution that will serve for years to come.”

Visitors can track live energy output via a display in the Aquarium’s lobby — a feature that ties perfectly into its educational mission.

“Our goal is to inspire action for the environment,”

said Daniel Leipnik, CEO of Cairns Aquarium.

“Having a visible, large-scale solar solution onsite not only supports our operational sustainability, but also reinforces our message about climate action and protecting our precious ecosystems.”

With Australia’s Far North facing increasing climate volatility, the solar system also brings vital resilience benefits. The Queensland Government, through its BRTI Fund, backed the project as part of its commitment to futureproofing tourism infrastructure.

“This is exactly the kind of forward-thinking solution we hoped to support,”

said Assistant Minister for Tourism, Bree James MP.

“Cairns Aquarium is a key tourism destination and a local leader in sustainability - this project empowers them to operate more efficiently, even during extreme weather events.”

Thanks to the combined vision of public and private partners - including OSW’s GreenSketch - the Aquarium is now better equipped to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, support environmental education, and ensure the safety and comfort of its aquatic residents all year round.

More information about GreenSketch here - https://greensketch.com.au/