By VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS
EMERALD and District Co-operative Society has taken a bold move towards a renewable future with the installation of 115 solar panels on their rooftop.
Co-op chief executive officer, Len O’Donnell, said the solar panels would make a big difference to the co-op’s power consumption as well as to the town of Emerald.
“We thought as a co-op we are one of the major businesses in the district and if new take this step forward it gives other commercial businesses the opportunity to be able to contact us and discuss it with them as we progress forward,” he said.
The co-op’s board of directors has been working closely with Cardinia Shire Council Environment Officer Brett Munckton to have the project operational.
“There is a lot of opportunity with business now – with large roof spaces and large electricity demand there can be really good reductions,” he said.
The switch to solar power and other power saving measures such as the instillation of new lights at the co-op is backed by Cardinia Shire Council’s Aspirational Energy Transition Plan.
“As part of reducing community emissions we want to support and assist the community and do things such as install solar panels and other renewable energy systems,” Mr Munckton said.
Co-op board member and Project Manager for this venture, Iain Johnson, said there was much planning involved but the reduction in emissions and power consumption would be great for business.
“We did a feasibility study of overall power usage,” he said.
“We decided to install 30kw panels, 115 in total, designed with micro inverters.”
“It will be much more cost effective for us and they will have paid for themselves over seven years.”
Mr O’Donnell and Mr Munckton are enthusiastic to see the initiative taken on by other businesses in the area.
“We are always happy to pass on what we have learned through this process and assist others to get on board,” Mr O’Donnell said.
“Council are keen to see the promotion of these kinds of initiatives and share information discuss the opportunity with business and provide them with information,” Mr Munckton said.
“We are always exploring and looking at new initiatives and ways we can help to support the community.”
