Global Change Institute Building
The Global Change Institute (GCI) living building is UQ's flagship sustainability project, providing a focal point for the university’s initiative in sustainable education and research.
The GCI building has been designed to have zero net energy, water and carbon impacts. Its roof-mounted 138 kWp photovoltaic system generates nearly all the power the building requires for day-to-day operations.
The GCI holds the fourth largest PV installation on the St Lucia campus. Configured into nine different arrays with varied panel tilts (5° – 15°) and orientations (10° – 280°), the system is capable of generating more than 200,000 kWh per annum.
The system's 575 solar modules extend to adjacent buildings, covering more than 940 m2 of roof area.



Site name | UQ St. Lucia Campus |
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Building / location | Global Change Institute (GCI) Building |
Suburb / city | St. Lucia, Brisbane QLD, 4067 |
Nominal DC output | 138 kWp |
Module area | 941.2 m2 |
Start-up date | 23/08/2013 |
Visible on Live Data display | Yes |
Date connected to display | 23/08/2013 |
Site longitude | 153°00'52"E |
Site latitude | 27°29'51"S |
Height above sea level | 27 + Building Height |
Time zone | AEST |
Type of installation | Roof-top (elevated) |
Tracking system | No tracking system |
Tilt | 5° - 15° |
Orientation | 10° - 280° |
Module make & model | Trina Solar (Trina TSM 240 - PC/PA05) |
Module technology | Polycrystalline Silicon |
Module size | 1650 x 992 mm |
Number of modules | 575 |
Inverter make & model | Aurora Power-One PVI-12.5-OUTD, Aurora Power-One PVI-10.0-OUTD, Aurora Trio 27.6-OUTD, and Aurora Trio 20.0-OUTD |
Number of inverters | 9 |