THE city of Canterbury-Bankstown plans to install solar power at five council buildings to save money on power bills and address climate change at a local level.
The new solar panel systems will be installed at the new Yagoona Community Centre, Canterbury-Bankstown Arts Centre, Belmore Senior Citizen and Baby Health Centre, Belmore Youth Resource Centre and the Morris Iemma Indoor Sports Centre at Riverwood.
Canterbury-Bankstown Council administrator Richard Colley said the upgrades would make the buildings some of the city’s most energy efficient.
“We have already installed 10 solar systems in its facilities so far which have saved approximately $241,000 in power costs, more than 1,240 tonnes of carbon dioxide and helped generate more than 1,239,586 kWh,” Mr Colley said.
“Solar power will play a key role in reducing our energy costs, tackling climate change and reducing emissions.
“After we roll out these next five solar systems, we estimate we will double our annual solar generation capacity.
“I am encouraging businesses and residents to investigate whether they too can save money and play their part in protecting our environment.”
Mr Colley said there are 70,000 houses in the city but only 5,983 are solar powered.
The council has signed up to the Our Energy Future program to increase renewable energy use and Mr Colley urged people to make the switch to solar power.
Free renewable energy information panels will be held across the city from August 9 to October 7.
For more information on the sessions, go to cb.city/ourenergyfuture or call 1300 338 915.
This article first appeared in The Daily Telegraph on 9 August 2017.
