23 November, 2020
To reduce energy costs and provide a power contingency measure, Council recently installed solar panels and Tesla batteries at the Lithgow Council Administration Building.
“On a sunny day, the 74.1kW system generates enough electricity to power the administration building and charge the 81kWh Tesla battery system, which will provide power to the building throughout the night” said Lithgow City Council’s Mayor, Councillor Ray Thompson.
“The system will also ensure that the Council administration building can remain operational in the event of a grid power outage which speaks to improved business continuity in emergency situations” continued Mayor Thompson.
The installation of this high-capacity solar panel and battery system meets a number of strategic objectives of the Council. In line with the Community Strategic Plan 2030, this project reduces the cost of Council’s operation and its carbon footprint, improves the resilience and self-sufficiency of the core business, demonstrates local support for innovative technology and practice, and provides revenue generating opportunities through the feeding of excess electricity to the grid.
“This is just one of Council’s projects which aim to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the organisation,” said Mayor Thompson. “The Council and the Administration continue to look to the future and seize opportunities to innovate and try something new for the betterment of Lithgow. I look forward to sharing progress on other projects as they develop.”