Rooftop solar to slash The J's power bill by 35 per cent

Local contractors have started installing The J’s new 50-kilowatt rooftop solar system.

Set to shave around 35% from the facility’s power bill the system will be up and running soon, generating around 80,000kw of power annually from the sun.

“Installing solar power systems is one of the pledges Council made as a foundation member of the Cities Power Partnership,” Council’s Environment and Sustainable Development Director Kim Rawlings said.

Council’s Carbon Reduction Project Officer Annie Nolan said The J’s new system included 166 300W Talesun monocystaline solar panels, chosen for their high efficiency.

It’s the first of four new solar systems Council is rolling out, with the Noosaville depot, Noosa Leisure Centre and Noosa Aquatic Centre the other sites soon to gain solar.

Combined, the systems will produce more than 356,000 kWh of electricity annually, saving an estimated $38,000 a year in electricity costs.

Ms Nolan said the four systems would cut around 277 tonnes of CO2 from Council’s carbon footprint each year, paying for themselves through energy cost savings within seven years.

Solar power is among a range of emission-busting initiatives Council has planned to become carbon neutral by 2026.

“These large solar systems are a major part of Council’s plan to minimise our use of coal-powered energy, and in turn reduce our emissions,” Ms Rawlings said.

“By generating power on site at these four locations we will also be hedging against future electricity prices rises. 

“We recently reduced our electricity consumption by around 30% a year by installing new energy efficient air conditioning and lighting at the Noosaville Depot. We are looking forward to even greater reductions once the solar panels are installed and generating renewable electricity.”

Council’s Tewantin administration building is already equipped with solar power, as is the new digital hub at Peregian Beach, which has 112 panels and a battery to store energy.

Local firm Hemisphere Electrical and Solar is installing The J’s new system.

29 May 2018