By Derek Schlennstedt
Cardinia Shire has celebrated its 1000th solar panel in the municipality, nine years after it installed a 2kw solar electricity system at Emerald Library.
The 1000th panel, also placed at Emerald Library, is now part of 22.8kW system, contributing towards exceeding 250kW of installed capacity across 15 sites in the Cardinia Shire.
The shire has saved more than $70,000 per annum in energy costs on council buildings.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Brett Owen said it was a great contribution, and he was proud to be mayor of a council so committed to reducing its carbon footprint.
“We, as a council, are aiming to achieve zero net emissions for council operations and a 36 per capita reduction in community emission by 2024,” Mr Owen said.
“Council has embraced solar electricity, and now we have currently 14 systems across 14 building across our shire.”
Mr Owen also harked back to the early days of solar, when in 2008 Emerald Library was the first building in the council area to receive a solar system – much due to the strong lobbying by Peter Cook, from the Dandenong Ranges Renewable Energy Association.
“Council’s first solar energy system was here, at the Emerald Library back in 2008 … it is quite fitting that we are relaunching a new system and celebrating the 1000th solar panel in Cardinia Shire,” Mr Owen said.
“The 1000th panel is right above us, and council now has more than 260kw in solar electricity systems at council sites.”
Overall, the solar systems are achieving an annual reduction in emission of 364 tonnes of carbon dioxide – the same emissions as produced by 91 average cars.
Peter Cook, who was heavily involved in getting the first system, said that since operating, the new solar system has accounted for about 53 per cent of the library’s power.
Emerald Library also received a TV unit that shows the percentage of power output which the new solar system produces.
