Installed on the rooftop of the Stockland Shellharbour Shopping Centre in the Illawarra, the system comprises almost 4,000 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels (with a total capacity of 1.2 megawatts) and covers a surface area of more than 7,500 square metres, which is bigger than a standard football field.
Roberts commended Stockland and the Shellharbour community for supporting a solar project that can generate enough electricity to power 280 homes.
"NSW is leading the nation in commercial solar, with more than 8,800 systems and around 35 per cent of Australia's renewable energy companies based here," Roberts said.
"Stockland invested more than two million dollars in the project which also generated more than 50 jobs during construction, with close to half of the contractors from the Illawarra area."
Speakman said the share of electricity generation from wind, solar and bioenergy has more than doubled over the past four years.
"More than ten per cent of NSW's electricity generation comes from renewable energy sources, supporting lower energy costs while providing employment and investment particularly in regional communities.
"This project is an important step for renewable energy in NSW, bringing with it environmental benefits, new jobs and a strong, clean energy sector."
Ward said: "I congratulate Stockland for investing in renewable energy for its Shellharbour centre and embracing the benefits in cost savings and employment, which flow into the Illawarra."
The Stockland Shellharbour solar system, switched on in May this year, has already generated more than 400,000 kWh of energy for the centre, with the system on track to meet its target of 1.74 million kWh per year.
