Council expands its solar program into waste

Sunshine Coast Council started installing 30 kilowatts of solar panels to the roof of the Nambour waste transfer station yesterday, further expanding its rooftop solar program and building on the success of the Sunshine Coast Solar Farm.

Economic Development and Innovation Portfolio Cr Steve Robinson said council was committed to its vision of becoming the most sustainable region in Australia.

“Here on the Sunshine Coast, we are continuing to show how solar friendly we are and how highly we value sustainability and our environment,” Cr Robinson said.

“Four of council’s eight waste transfer stations already feature rooftop solar installations, with arrays added to Buderim, Witta and Beerwah earlier this year.

“We will add a further 60KW of solar power across Nambour and Caloundra this financial year, with Caloundra completed earlier this month.

“By doing this, council is reducing grid power consumption at our waste sites during the day and saving money as a result.

“The Sunshine Coast Solar Farm, combined with solar installations on council facilities and the 40,000 PV solar rooftops across the region, are setting us on a path to achieving a clean energy economy.”

Environment Portfolio Cr Jenny McKay said the waste transfer station solar panels and the Solar Farm were just part of the region’s clean energy puzzle.

“Over the next six months, we will be actively assisting the community to come on this journey with us, providing renewable energy advice from information experts in the field,” Cr McKay said.

“During August and September, council will host ‘ Harness the Sun’ renewable energy sessions at our libraries as well as providing events, information and videos to assist our community save money and carbon emissions in their homes and businesses.”

The installation of the solar panels at the Nambour station is scheduled to take two months, weather permitting.