Resource Recovery Centre goes solar
Council’s Resource Recovery Centre is set to save big on electricity costs with the commissioning this week of a 100 panel solar power system.
The electricity generated by the 25 kilowatt roof-mounted solar system will be used to power the majority of the day time energy needs of the Resource Recovery Centre (RRC) with some electricity expected to be fed back into the power grid when the facility is closed.
The RRC solar power system brings Council’s total solar capacity to over 100 kilowatts of solar PV.
“In just four years we’ve added solar panel systems to our cattle saleyards, the refurbished Southern Highlands Welcome Centre, Bowral Library, the Mittagong Rural Fire Service Building and now our Resource Recovery Centre,” said Council’s Environment and Health Systems Coordinator in charge of the project, Therese Smart.
“In total we’re now generating approximately 455 kilowatts in renewable energy from our solar installations every day.
“That’s the equivalent of $30,000 a year in power savings or the same amount of energy required to run 23 average Australian homes per year!” Ms Smart said.
Ms Smart explained the choice of installation sites.
“We deliberately looked at Council facilities that operate predominantly during the daytime,” she said. “This ensures we make the most of the solar energy that’s generated.”
“We then also had to consider which sites had the available roof space that could accommodate such large-scale solar installations.”
Council anticipates that its current solar power capture projects will recoup all costs within six years.