A new solar system at HJ Daley Library will help cut carbon based energy use by 75 per cent and save ratepayers around $18,000 a year in energy costs.
The 375 panels will produce around 138,000 kilowatts of electricity a year, about 45 per cent of the power currently used at the library, and enough to power 24 homes.
Council now has more than 1,500 solar panels across five sites producing carbon free electricity, and is getting close to producing 10 per cent of the energy used across its large sites – with a little help from the sun.
Mayor of Campbelltown, Cr George Brticevic, welcomed the installation of the solar system, saying in a country like Australia, with so much sunshine for most of the year, harnessing the sun was a sensible move.
“Council is committed to reducing its carbon footprint through initiatives which save energy, water and natural resources, and reduce waste,” he said.
“In 2012, the heating and cooling system at the library was upgraded to improve its energy efficiency, and now with the installation of the new 99 kilowatt solar system, energy use at the site will be reduced even further.
“Council has installed solar pool heating systems on all of its leisure centres, which saves ratepayers on average more than $69,000 a year.
“The installation of 770 solar panels on the Civic Centre and Arts Centre saves just under $38,000 a year in energy costs.
“However, the financial savings are not the only benefits of using solar energy.
“It is a clean and sustainable source of energy which is good for the environment and is reducing our carbon footprint,” Cr Brticevic said.
For more information on council initiatives to encourage sustainability, or what you can do in your home click here.
campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/sustainability
