Rigby House is to become the first solar powered public building in Coffs Harbour. A solar grid feed system to be installed on the roof of the building will generate around half of the power needed to run the heating, ventilation and air conditioning, lighting, office equipment and lifts.
“Housing the Regional Gallery and City Library as well as other government offices, Rigby House has been identified as one of Council’s highest energy consumers in our Energy Savings Action Plan,” said Jeff Green, Council’s Executive Manager, Strategy and Sustainability. “When we looked at ways of reducing Council’s carbon emissions, the placing of solar panels on Rigby House was identified as having the potential to save up to 235 tonnes of CO2 annually.
“Council then applied for a grant under the New South Wales Department of Environment and Climate Change’s Public Facilities Programme. The application was successful and a $735,000 grant has been awarded to fund the project.
“In all, we predict that fitting the solar panels will save more than $25,000 a year in direct electricity costs, as well as offering opportunities to sell any excess power created back to the electricity grid.”
In addition to the cost savings, a further key feature of the project is to raise awareness across the community of the advantages of saving energy and the key role that solar power can play in a sustainable future.
“It also gives us an excellent opportunity to build links with business and industry around renewable technologies,” he said.
The building will become the focal point of an education program aimed at schools and key community sectors.
As well as workshops, forums and educational material, a small model of the solar energy system installed on the roof will be placed in the foyer.
The project is expected to begin in mid 2009 and the building is scheduled to be using solar power within one to two years.
