The decision by Parkes Shire Council to install Solar PV systems to a number of its assets including the Administration and Library/Cultural Centre has resulted in savings of more than $74,000 in electricity charges during the first full year of operation.
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At the same time, Council has also reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by more than 300 tonnes.
Council’s General Manager, Kent Boyd, provided information to last week’s Council meeting highlighting savings he described as `quiet substantial.’
Mr Boyd said the result justifies Council’s decision to commission a Sustainable Water and Energy Plan in 2010.
The Plan was prepared by the University of Technology’s Institute for Sustainable Futures which Council subsequently adopted.
The savings that have resulted in having solar panels installed to council’s high tariff buildings such as the Admin Centre (92kW), Library (52kW) , Henry Parkes Centre (25kW) and Thornbury Street Depot (20kW) are likely to result in systems being added to Council’s other assets over time.
With the total savings for these four projects alone being $74,000, it means Council is well on track to pay back its $700,000 borrowings within the projected seven year time frame.
Mr Boyd indicated ongoing savings of more than $1million were predicted during the life of the project.
“The 10kW system installed at the Parkes pool in 2011 at a cost of $60,000 under the 60 cent NSW Feed in tariff returned $9,176 over the last four quarters whilst the same system installed at the filtration plant last year for $35,000 returned $7,175.”
Mr Brad Byrnes (Council’s Manager Governance Corporate Planning) said the Council initiative of promoting solar panelling to householders, initially through public forums, had proved more than successful.
“Initially we thought 30 residents may take up the offer,” Mr Byrnes said.
“However, the first take-up was in the vicinity of 150 which has since climbed to more than 500, and still on the increase daily.
“Per capita, the Parkes shire rates amongst the highest for solar panel installations,” he said.
Deputy Mayor Cr Alan Ward said the first year result highlighted Council’s `wonderful initiative’ in taking on board the importance of solar energy.
“The success of this project is being recognised by other councils who are now looking at implementing similar schemes,” Cr Ward said.
