PETALING JAYA: Eco-friendly technology and ideas for sustainable living are being showcased for public viewing at the Panasonic Econation Centre in Section 16.

Panasonic Malaysia managing director Jeff Lee said the centre would use education and professional discussions to help the public realise the opportunities in green technologies.

“(The centre) provides a hub for Panasonic affiliating partners and relevant stakeholders to realise respective green propositions and innovations,” he said.

The centre was transformed from an old house with a barren compound to a 6,000 sq ft facility which was designed to interact with the natural elements of the earth.

Visitors will be shown the 40kWp solar modules on a double roof structure which utilises sunlight to produce electricity and a 50m3 rainwater harvesting system.

The centre also allows customised tours for businesses, government departments, non-governmental organisations, communities and individuals, Lee added.

Panasonic Malaysia Eco Solutions Department head Tan Chee Hon said the centre would theoretically generate a surplus of 24MWh of energy per annum.

Tan explained the energy generated, minus the energy consumption forecast, translates into a reduction of 12 tons of CO2 emission – the equivalent to saving 600 trees per year. “This qualifies the building to be classified as Renewable Energy Generative Building,” said Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Roslan Sakiman.

He added that the centre, due to its energy generating capabilities, can act as a conceptual Mechanical Green Lung for the city.

Other green technologies employed by the centre are energy efficient indoor air conditioning, air purification, landscaping and reduction of heat reflections. The centre will be open for businesses on Mondays to Thursdays from 10am to 5pm and to the public on Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 5pm.

The centre is located at  70, Jalan 16/1 (Dato’ Abu Bakar), 46350 Petaling Jaya.