Solar panels capture big dollar savings in the urban area

More than 740 solar panels have been installed on Council facilities throughout the urban suburbs, delivering savings of more than $55,000 per year on energy bills.

Council’s Carbon Management Program, now in its sixth year, is working to meet Council‘s 2020 emission reduction target.

A range of energy efficiency and solar projects delivered so far have resulted in greenhouse emissions across all Council operations declining every year for the past four years.

More than 4,000 solar panels will be installed throughout Yarra Ranges under the program by the end of June 2019.

So far, Council has installed more than 2,800 panels on 29 buildings, generating an estimated $225,000 in electricity bill savings per year and reducing annual greenhouse emissions by 1,277 tonnes (t-CO2e).

The solar panels installed across Council facilities could power about 160 average urban houses for a whole year.

Cr Terry Avery said investing in solar panels was a smart business move as it provides opportunity to save money on electricity bills and reduce our carbon footprint over time.

“Mooroolbark Library will have saved more than $11,010 after 140 panels were installed in September 2017,” Cr Avery said.

“The panels on Mooroolbark Library to date have generated 45,000kWh of Electricity, reducing emissions by 53 t-CO2e. That’s about 6 average urban houses of electricity savings already.”

Cr Avery said $176,465 and 490 t-CO2e had been saved across the whole municipality in the last financial year.

To help others in the community reap these benefits, Council is offering Environmental Upgrade Agreements (EUAs) to businesses that own or lease commercial, non-residential buildings in Yarra Ranges. EUAs are a good way for building owners to fund building upgrades that have positive environmental outcomes such as reducing energy use.

Tenants can also benefit from EUAs by contributing to the repayment of the loan in return for the savings they receive from the upgrade works. EUAs are managed by the Sustainable Melbourne Fund.

Environmental Upgrade Finance (EUF) is a long term, fixed interest, competitive loan to upgrade a building where the loan repayments are paid to the lender via Council’s quarterly rates notice.

To find out more about securing EUF for a business, visit the Sustainable Melbourne Fund website.

Coldstream Community Centre – 42 panels, 19 t-CO2e, $3,311

Kilsyth Centenary Pool – 105 panels, 47 t-CO2e, $8,278

Kilsyth Memorial Hall – 19 panels, 8 t-CO2e, $1,380

Lilydale Community Room – 19 panels, 8 t-CO2e, $1,380

Mooroolbark Community Centre – 63 panels, 28 t-CO2e, $4,939

Mooroolbark Library – 140 panels, 62 t-CO2e, $11,010

Mount Evelyn Library & Community Room – 35 panels, 16 t-CO2, $2,759

Rolling Hills Childcare Centre, Mooroolbark - 35 panels, 16 t-CO2, $2,759

Yarra Glen Memorial Hall & RSL – 42 panels, 19 t-CO2e, $3,311

Nelson Road Council Depot Lilydale – 105 panels, 47 t-CO2e, $8,278

Yarra Ranges Regional Museum – 98 panels, 47 t-CO2e, $8,278