Melbourne’s 5×4 Hayes Lane Project, located less than a kilometre from the Central Business District in East Melbourne, sends a powerful message about the future importance of solar energy.

The project, built on a narrow strip of land with just a five metre x four metre footprint, is an eco-driven design and is one of the first homes in Melbourne to generate, store and control its own power supply.

It’s innovative design across four levels highlights a sustainable living approach that is particularly well suited to inner city suburbs across our major cities where smaller residential lots are in existence.

The chief executive officer of the National Electrical and Communications Association, Mr Suresh Manickam, has applauded the concept and called for a more innovative approach to residential housing solutions. 

“The 5×4 Hayes Lane Project delivers a concept for new residential living with an efficient use of land and energy. These types of projects provide a glimpse of the future and we encourage greater opportunities for solar and other renewable energy use in the residential construction sector,” Mr Manickam said.

“Homeowners across Australia are embracing solar energy as a way to reduce electricity costs. This increase in demand has followed the reduction in installation costs for Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels.

“NECA believes that further opportunities exist to educate consumers about the importance of renewable energy and we know that consumers are keen to be seen as environmental citizens to make greater use of renewable products,” said Mr Manickam.