By BEN CAMERON
OVER $40,000 is expected to be trimmed from Cardinia Shire Council’s annual electricity bill through the power of the sun at two council-owned buildings.
A recent council report found a 24kW Henry Family Children’s Centre rooftop solar electricity system had cut its September electricity bill by $1500, and reduced electricity demand from the power grid by over 80 per cent, since it was installed in late August.
Solar power is expected to save the council $8000 in electricity costs annually at the centre and reduce its carbon footprint by 40 tonnes.
The system has reduced council’s emissions by 11 tonnes already.
A meter upgrade, completed on 3 December, will allow council to access a credit for any electricity the system feeds into the power grid.
An environmental upgrade project at the Cardinia Cultural Centre, including a rooftop solar electricity system and lighting upgrade, to be completed in January, is expected to save council around $33,000 per year in electricity costs and reduce emissions by almost 200 tonnes annually.
The council’s environment and engineering manager Martin Teplik said solar electricity was a key part of its goal to be carbon neutral by 2024.
“Cardinia Cultural Centre’s rooftop solar system is expected to save council $20,000 in electricity costs and reduce carbon emissions by 118 tonnes of CO2 each year,” he said.
“Combined with the other energy saving works at Cardinia Cultural Centre, including the solar project and lighting upgrade, the council is expected to save a total of $33,000 and reduce carbon emissions by 200 tonnes per annum.
“Rooftop solar electricity saves money and reduces carbon emissions.
“The council encourages the community to consider solar electricity as a way to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions.”
The council will also install a 135 kilowatt cogeneration unit at Cardinia Life to provide electricity and heat, saving council up to $75,000 in energy costs and reducing emissions by 1000 tonnes of CO2 annually.
Audits are currently underway to assess the suitability of carbon-cutting technology for other council facilities.
