Petersham Solar Project brings substantial CO2 reductions for Council
Monday 03 June 2019
Inner West Council continues to take great strides towards its goal of being 100% Renewable Energy reliant by 2025, installing new solar panels on the Petersham Town Hall.
The 15kW solar array on Petersham Town Hall, combined with an LED upgrade at the site, will save around 15 tonnes of carbon every year, not to mention the reduced electricity costs.
The new array brings Council to more than 30 buildings with solar panels with many more to come.
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said that this is another example of Inner West Council aiming to be a national leader in renewable energy.
“We want the Inner West to punch above our weight in the national environmental debate.
“Solar array programs such as this one in Petersham is another important step in our goal to becoming 100% renewable and carbon neutral by 2025,” said Mayor Byrne.
“And while we are making a significant investment in renewable energy, we are doing so in a financially responsible manner that will reduce electricity costs for ratepayers and businesses.
The solar array joins a range of initiatives Council has put into place since election in 2017, including an innovative new solar energy agreement to buy energy from the Moree Solar Farm, a fast-tracked street light replacement program to get energy saving LED lights installed in the LGA, and a record 100% level of divestment from fossil fuel investments.
“By completely divesting from fossil fuels, becoming carbon neutral and showing how rooftop solar can be expanded across apartment buildings, factories, office blocks and Council buildings we can take urban environmentalism to a new level,” said Mayor Byrne.
The solar array will produce almost 20,000 kWh per annum, which is roughly equivalent to the Petersham Town Hall’s daytime energy use.
It also helps bring Council’s total CO2 savings from the solar farm and our other solar projects to more than 4,000 tonnes a year.
The Petersham Town Hall upgrade project was assisted by the NSW Government through the Heritage Near Me grant program.
For media enquiries, please contact Kate Walsh on 9392 5685 or kate.walsh@innerwest.nsw.gov.au