The beautiful resort town of Noosa is to get a clean energy boost after the local council announced plans to install solar systems on four of its buildings. The Noosa solar scene is significantly boosted by the announcement.
Noosa, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, has plans to be carbon neutral by 2026. In fact, Noosa Council Mayor Tony Wellington announced last year that the town is Queensland’s leader for solar installations.
Mr Wellington said data from the Clean Energy Regulator indicated 34 per cent of properties in the Noosa region have solar panels. This is slightly ahead of Queensland’s overall figure, which stands at 31.6 per cent.
Council to save $38,000 in annual costs with Noosa solar
Noosa Leisure Centre, Noosa Aquatic Centre, The J and the Noosaville depot will get the new solar systems by April 2018.
Combined, the solar panels will produce more than 356,000 kWh of electricity annually. This should save Council $38,000 a year in electricity costs.
“The solar power systems are also compatible with new battery technology,” Mr Wellington said. “However, at this stage, almost all of the electricity that the panels generate will be consumed on site.”
Noosa aiming for zero net emissions by 2026
Council worked for a year to establish its baseline carbon emissions before devising a plan to reduce them.
“But we are better off for having done that work as we now have an essential baseline to measure our progress,” Mr Wellington said. “We can now head toward our 2026 zero-net-emissions goal knowing exactly what we are achieving in the way of reductions.
“Ultimately, this will be an environmental win as well as an economic win.”
The solar systems will remove 277 tonnes of CO2 from Council’s carbon footprint each year. Council estimates they will pay for themselves in the form of energy cost savings within seven years.
Rebate for energy efficient appliances
Meanwhile, Council is encouraging residents to take advantage of a new Queensland Government rebate for more energy efficient appliances.
The Queensland Government’s Energy Efficient Rebate assists households to reduce their power bills.
Households are eligible for up to $300 rebate on the purchase of a new washing machine, fridge or air-conditioner.
Households will be able to apply for one of the following rebates:
- $200 for a 4-star energy rated washing machine
- $250 for a 4-star energy rated fridge
- $300 for a 4-star energy rated air-conditioner
Noosa Council’s CEO Brett de Chastel said it was a “terrific initiative” to reduce power bills for households.
