Sunshine Coast Solar Farm doubles expected savings in first year

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As Australia’s first local government to receive 100% RES electricity supply, the Sunshine Coast Council has announced that its landmark solar project has saved $1.7 million in the first year of its operation, more than double the anticipated amount. 

“The Sunshine Coast Solar Farm has saved council $1.7 million – more than double the amount we’d hoped for in the first year,” said Sunshine Coast Acting Mayor Tim Dwyer, noting that the ambitious project aims to save $22 million over 30 years

The 15 MW Sunshine Coast Solar Farm, which started feeding electricity into the grid one year ago today, has generated more than 26,300 MWh of energy and saved more than 20,500 tonnes carbon emissions in 12 months. 

In addition to being the first local government in the country to deliver a solar farm, the Council is planning to implement a six-month project in order to gather independent information from trusted experts on energy choices and share it with residents and businesses.

“We want to help our community learn how to reap maximum savings from their existing solar PV system, what renewable options are available, how to choose an energy provider and how to reduce their home’s energy usage,“ said Division 9 Councillor Steve Robinson.

The solar farm, featuring 57,000 Duomax PEG14 solar PV module from China’s Trina Solar, was built by Downer Group, without any assistance from either the Federal or State governments.

At the time of commissioning, the pioneering project aroused major interest of other local councils around Australia, and the latest figures may help them decide to follow in Sunshine Coast’s footsteps.

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