NSW joins the solar panel race for more energy-efficient hospitals

Earlier this week, we reported on Victoria’s state-wide efforts to introduce solar panel arrays across a number of hospitals. Now, NSW is following suit with a total of $81 million in developments set to roll out in the near future.

The NSW Government recently announced the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai, Fairfield, John Hunter and Canterbury hospitals will all gain solar panel arrays through a financial backing of $8.1 million.

Energy Minister Matt Keen said the projects come as the state government continues to focus on delivering more cost-effective, sustainable energy sources for NSW.

“The NSW Government is committed to delivering a secure, modern and affordable energy system for our State and I am thrilled Hornsby Hospital is at the centre of this initiative,” Kean said.

The aim is to help hospitals throughout the region, utilise the benefits of solar energy, reducing much-needed strain on the system’s financial side and eliminating carbon footprints at the same time.

$3.2 million-dollar development that will become the biggest hospital solar project in the country. A total of 12,000 square metres will be blanketed in panels across the roof space available.

Because hospitals use a significant amount of the state’s total energy consumption, taking advantage of the vast space available on these rooftops only seems logical. Health Minister Brad Hazzard said generating power this way will also decrease grid pressure.

“By making out hospitals more energy-efficient, these solar projects will help bring our costs down, freeing up funds that can be invested back into the health system,” Hazzard said.

Why are solar panels so important?

Harnessing sunlight and converting it into sustainable electricity, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are a huge focus for Australia’s energy sector. They allow the demand for electricity to be heavily reduced, cutting bills across residential and commercial buildings and lowering pressure on our extremely overloaded grid.

In Sydney alone, households can expect up to $900 a year in savings, simply by investing in a four-kilowatt system on their roof. And because this technology is only getting better, lower energy bills are a primary advantage, and the system itself can even be paid off in less than half a decade.

But beyond the financial benefits, solar power creates a number of environmental and economic advantages as well:

  • Reduce carbon emissions and footprints
  • Lower electricity costs and bills
  • Attract more appealing financial incentives from your retail energy provider.

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