Brisbane council signs 50th club to solar

Community Clubs are saving more than $250,000 a year on electricity costs thanks to Brisbane City Council-funded solar power systems, with the 50^th club now connected to the renewable energy, Council announced today.

Brisbane Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner said the Resilient Clubs Support Program had invested almost $740,000 since late 2020 to install solar system at 50 local sport and community clubs.

“Installing solar power and cutting costs for 50 clubs is a significant milestone in this program,” Lord Mayor Schrinner said.

“Right now, cost of living is going up and up, but the Resilient Clubs initiative helps clubs cope with rising energy prices by adopting clean, green, and sustainable practices.

“These 50 solar panels installed to date are saving our local community clubs more than $250,000 on electricity costs alone, putting more money back into the pockets of these clubs so they can invest it in their players, volunteers and the community.

“Our solar panels have already saved an estimated 1220 tonnes of CO2 emissions, which is the equivalent of taking 388 cars off the road every year.”

The 50^th solar panel was recently installed at Bulimba Hockey Club, with their energy-intensive irrigation, refrigeration and internal lighting now to be powered by sustainable solar.

Bulimba Hockey Club Secretary, Linda Francis said the solar system was just one of many ways the club benefits from the program.

“We have had energy-saving devices installed within the clubhouse, self-timing lights in amenities, changing internal clubhouse lights to LED, solar panels installed and online webinars which have been useful with handy hints and grant opportunities,” Ms Francis said.

Lord Mayor Schrinner said the Resilient Clubs initiative helped reduce costs over the long term.

“Every club is different, and we work closely with each organisation to determine the best and most suitable support and then we provide information, expert suppliers and funding.”

“Installing solar panels helps clubs spend less on maintenance and more on players, with the one-off payment for installing the solar panels providing ongoing cost reduction for the clubs every time a bill lands,” he said.