New solar panels are being installed on a series of council owned buildings thanks to a partnership between the City of Greater Bendigo and community groups who use the facilities.
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The council has been installing solar panels at the Strathdale Community Centre, Long Gully Community Centre, California Gully Mechanics Institute and Canterbury Park Pavilion.
These solar installations were funded by $50,000 from the Federal Community Solar Program, which was managed and supported by the City of Greater Bendigo.
The council’s director of strategy and growth Bernie O’Sullivan said the solar panels would result in real savings for the community.
“These new solar panels are expected to create more than 55,000 kilowatt hours of electricity each year and create savings of approximately $14,000 a year in electricity costs,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
“The solar panels are also expected to reduce greenhouse gases by 72 tonnes a year.
“Community groups pay the utility bills associated with these four facilities, so the solar panels will mean reduced costs for those clubs.
“We were very pleased when the club representatives approached us and we have assisted by applying for funding and getting the panels installed.”
Last year the city installed 180 kilowatts of solar panels on the Eaglehawk Recycling Centre, Annie Galvin and Helen Jessen Early Learning Centres and the Epsom Huntly Recreation Reserve Pavilion.
Another 50 kilowatts of solar panels are soon to be installed at the Bendigo Aquatic Centre, funded by the city, giving a total of 281.5 kilowatt solar installations in the last 12 months.
