Solar switch to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 300 tonnes a year

Council has installed more than 250 kilowatts of on-site solar power across six Council facilities in the past five months.

“The 300 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions we’ll save as a result of these new systems is equivalent to taking 120 cars off the road for a year,” Mayor Tony Wellington said.

The J and the Noosaville depot are each fitted with 50-kilowatt systems, the Noosa Leisure Centre a 32-kilowatt system, Noosa Community Support a 36-kilowatt system, while a 58-kilowatt system is powering Cooroy Library. So far, the Noosa Aquatic Centre has a 26-kilowatt system, with more to come.

The new digital hub at Peregian Beach also has 112 panels and a battery to store power.

“Combined, that’s 953 solar panels, able to generate a whopping 410 megawatt hours annually,” the Mayor said.

“As well as being good for the environment, solar power makes good business sense. Since being installed, these systems have delivered an average electricity cost saving of 40% across those facilities, compared with the same period last year,” he said.

“Due to Council’s competitive electricity pricing deal, the solar systems will pay themselves off in approximately six years.”

Council is also set to significantly increase its on-site solar generation progressively across Council’s other facilities.        

The Mayor said installing solar power systems was one of the pledges Council made as a foundation member of the Cities Power Partnership.

It’s among a range of emission-busting initiatives Council has planned in order to become carbon neutral by 2026.

“Solar is an important part of Council’s plan to minimise coal-powered energy use and in turn take responsibility for our part in achieving necessary global emission reductions,” the Mayor said.

“By generating our own power, we will also be hedging against future electricity price rises.”

29 November 2018