City harvests power of the sun

Solar panels on the roof of the QEII Seniors and Community Centre

The City is set to reap the benefits of solar power with the installation of solar panels on the roofs of three of its facilities over the next three weeks.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the continued roll-out of solar photovoltaic systems on City buildings is key to reducing the City’s operating costs and carbon footprint.

“The installation of solar panels on the roofs of the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery, Queens Park Theatre (QPT) and Geraldton Multipurpose Centre (GMC) will save the City around $40,000 per annum in power costs,” he said.

“These buildings were chosen based on the available roof space for the panels and a quick return on $115,000 investment of less than three years.

“More importantly, the project is enabling the City to maintain its ongoing commitment to sustainability which will benefit our future generations.”

The City began its investment in renewable energy in 2012 when solar panels were installed on the roof of the QEII Seniors and Community Centre and a further installation at the Aquarena in 2015.

Installation works at the GMC commenced this week and are expected to take around two weeks to complete. Works at the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery are expected to begin on 12 Marchfollowed by the QPT on 19 March 2018.