Logan City Council powers ahead with solar initiatives

The recent installation of a 100kW system on the roof of the Logan North Aquatic Centre in Underwood, Queensland which features 303 solar panels is one of the solar initiatives Logan City Council is powering ahead with. 

This installation has contributed to Logan City Council having passed a significant renewable energy milestone with more than 1000 kilowatts (kW) of solar photovoltaic panels now installed on Council-owned buildings.

The combined power generation from 25 systems is expected to save an estimated $140,000 a year in electricity costs and reduce CO2 emissions by more than 930 tonnes.

Other new systems include Mt Warren Sports Centre (70kW); Marsden Library (55kW); Logan North Library (83kW) and Logan West Community Centre (18kW).

All of these five sites use "power optimisers" which not only help to boost performance but also allow remote monitoring of the power generation of every solar panel.

Other significant solar systems on Council buildings include Round Mountain (87kW), Marsden Depot (100kW), Logan Metro (100kW) and Beenleigh Library (100kW).

City Planning, Economic Development and Environment Committee Chair Councillor Jon Raven said Council’s Carbon Reduction Strategy and Action Plan sets a 2022 carbon neutrality target that covers all of Council’s operations.

Raven notes "embracing solar is good for the environment and for the bottom line. We're also supporting the renewables industry, which is creating jobs in Logan.

Council’s first ground-based solar PV system has been installed at the Cedar Grove Environmental Centre with a capacity of 150kW.

Loganholme waste water treatment plant will get a 1000kW system which will come on line in 2021/2022. It is estimated it will produce around 2000 MWH per year.

The 2020/2021 Budget includes $308,000 over the next financial to install a 200kW system on the roof of the Council Administration Centre in Logan Central.

It is forecast the system will save Council an additional $38,400 in annual electricity costs and reduce CO2 emissions by a further 250 tonnes per year.

More than 41,000 solar PV systems have been installed on residential, commercial and community buildings across the city representing more than 184 megawatts of capacity.

Image top and video above courtesy of Logan City Council: The installation of 303 solar panels on the roof the Logan North Aquatic Centre in Underwood means solar systems on Logan City Council buildings are now generating more than 1000 kilowatts of renewable energy, saving an estimated $140,000 a year in electricity costs and reducing CO2 emissions by more than 930 tonnes.