THE future for renewable energy is getting brighter in Tamworth as council looks at solar power for a number of its sites.
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The solar push comes after a “successful trial” at the Swan St pump station, where Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) saved nearly $5000 off energy costs with the installation of solar panels.
TRC will now consider funding similar set-ups at the Westdale wastewater plant and the effluent reuse farm at New Winton, furthering its push toward a more sustainable Tamworth.
A total of $4,906 in energy costs has been saved during the 12-month trial at Swan St, which involved installation of a 20 kilowatt solar array pump station at a cost of $39,500.
The Swan St solar array generated 24,700kW of power – the same amount of energy used in 4.1 average homes in a year.
The bright idea has sparked councillors’ interest in developing “photovoltaic” (PV) arrays across the region.
Two solar sites at the Westdale Wastewater Treatment Plant will be considered in 2017/18 as part of the Annual Operation Plan.
An assessment found the two locations were financially viable because of the ability to recoup the $160,000 cost of the solar system in less than 10 years.
The expected serviceable life of a PV array is 20 to 25 years.
Councillors also decided further investigation should be done about the possible installation of a large scale 500kW PV array at the Effluent Reuse Farm at New Winton, once State Government grant information is available.
The NSW Climate Change Funds Strategic Plan, which is currently in draft form, is expected to include a range of grant opportunities.
TRC sustainability coordinator, Tracey Carr, said council’s investigation into the viability of solar systems is in line with a recent commitment in the delivery program to invest in green energy.
“Council recently appointed a new role - Sustainability Officer Energy – which demonstrates a commitment to reducing energy use and its costs across the organisation,” she said. The officer will investigate where council can improve energy use and viability of installing renewable technologies.
