New roof delivers solar benefits

Noosa Council is about to take another giant leap towards its promise of being carbon neutral by 2026.

The roof at Noosa Council’s Tewantin Administration Building is to be refurbished, which will include the installation of a new 90kW PV solar system.

The 90kW solar system consists of 269 panels and will produce almost 142,000 kilowatts every year. This is estimated to reduce council’s power consumption from the grid by about 36 per cent, resulting in an annual saving of around $17,000.

Mayor Tony Wellington said the $700,000 project was essential in helping reduce council’s carbon footprint.

“The roof is at the end of its useful life, so the repairs are absolutely necessary,” he said.

“The work means that we won’t have to use buckets to catch leaks during heavy rain events.

“The additional benefit is the ability to slash our power costs by installing solar panels. There are existing panels on the administration building roof, but the renovation of the roof allows us to expand our arsenal of solar panels,” Cr Wellington said.

Council already has seven council facilities generating electricity, which has cut power bills by over 50 per cent at some sites.

Midson Constructions will carry out the work on a tight three month time-frame to minimise disruption to staff and the general public.

Cr Wellington said the zero emissions target of 2026 remained fundamental to council’s strategic objectives.

“We have implemented a range of energy efficient projects including the installation of over 300 LED lights at Council-owned facilities and efficiency changes to air conditioning systems.

“We are also focussed on further reducing emissions from our landfill.”

Mayor Tony Wellington said solar power on the administration building had the potential to export solar energy back to the grid on weekends or those few days when the building is closed.

“Council is certainly walking the talk on the zero emissions initiative, continually achieving significant reductions in our own carbon footprint.

We have also been in discussions with various experts and entrepreneurs who are developing new-wave renewable power sources from which the shire may benefit. And, on top of that, we are actively supporting community initiatives aimed at reducing emissions and garnering energy efficiencies,” Cr Wellington said.

7 March 2019