Additional solar power installed at Sapphire Aquatic Centre

Bega Valley Shire Council has advised that it is installing another 60 kW of additional solar panels to the existing 22 kW at the Sapphire Aquatic Centre (SAC) in Pambula.

Council’s Environmental Management Coordinator, Derek van Bracht said the initiatives are part of Council’s Clean Energy Plan.

van Bracht advised “this represents a continuation of our long-term commitment to the environment and builds on recent energy efficient projects such as an LED lighting upgrade completed in the 21/22 financial year.

“The new panels will reduce our running costs at the Sapphire Aquatic Centre while making a significant contribution to reducing our overall carbon footprint.

“The additional solar panels, being installed on the new squash court roof and the SAC foyer building, will generate 17% of the site’s total annual electrical consumption.

“It will reduce SAC’s carbon footprint by 23%, which is the equivalent of 66 tonnes of carbon on an annual basis.

“These initiatives are an important contribution to Council’s commitments to use, where practical, its facilities to generate renewable energy.

“So far, more than 30 Council facilities have solar PV installed, amounting to 450 kW solar capacity.”

For more information on the Clean Energy Plan, visit Council’s website.

Image: Installing the solar panels on the Sapphire Aquatic Centre. Credit Bega Valley Shire Council