Blue Mountains City Council has begun the first stage of its community solar and batteries project, which will see the installation of solar panels and battery storage across nine council-owned community facilities, including council’s headquarters in Katoomba.
The facilities to receive solar panels are: Hazelwood Childcare Centre, Springwood Depot Mechanics Workshop, Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, Blue Mountains City Council Headquarters and Council Chambers, Mid Mountains Community Centre, Katoomba Civic Centre Arcade, Katoomba Children’s Cottage, Knapsack Park Clubhouse, and Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative.
Council says the project will lead to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across the sites and reduce energy bills at the facilities. The solar panels will generate electricity for the buildings, and batteries will store electricity for use at low-light times, or when there are interruptions to the electricity supply. The battery storage will also help ensure essential services remain operational during blackouts, it stated.
The first installation has already taken place at Council headquarters in Katoomba, timed to coincide with previously scheduled roof repairs on the building.
“I’m excited to see the first solar panels and batteries of this project installed,” said Mayor Mark Greenhill.
“This move is another step in our commitment to sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint.
“Council anticipates substantial savings on energy bills, which will allow us to reinvest those resources into other areas of our community services.
“We are always looking for ways to enhance our sustainability efforts with the big-picture goal of creating a more resilient and environmentally friendly community infrastructure for the future.”
The community Solar and batteries project is funded by the NSW Government’s Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program in association with Blue Mountains City Council.
