Byron Shire Council's $380,000 solar carpark roof in Mullumbimby was officially opened today (17 September 2019).
The 99-kilowatt installation sits above 40 car spaces in the public carpark next to Council's offices in Station Street.
Mayor Simon Richardson said the solar roof will offset almost a quarter of the electricity used every day in the Council offices, saving around $30,000 a year.
"This is a fantastic project on so many levels. Council is able to use the sun for our power, but the savings will benefit our residents and ratepayers," Mr Richardson said.
"It also brings Council one step closer to being 100 percent net zero emissions, or carbon neutral, by 2025.
"Not only that, while the solar panels are basking in the beautiful sunshine they are also providing shade for the cars that are underneath them – it's a fantastic use of space," Mayor Richardson said.
"Another terrific feature is the installation of an electric vehicle charging station, the second one installed by Byron Shire Council and it has already become popular with electric car owning locals, which is great," he said.
Any surplus power generated on weekends will be fed back to the grid, increasing the amount of renewable energy available in NSW and decreasing the amount of coal powered energy being fed into the grid.
Council now turns its attention to the development of solar projects on Dingo Lane near the Resource and Recovery Centre and at the three sewerage treatment plants in the Byron Shire.
