Mitchell Shire Council in Central Victoria is leading by example, switching its Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre hot water to solar.
Council engaged sustainable utility company, Earth Utility, to undertake the switch under its innovative new service model with no upfront costs.
Under the agreement Council will pay a monthly service fee and Earth Utility will own and service the systems.
Council can expect annual savings of over 1,150 gigajoules in gas consumption, 73 tonnes of carbon emissions and approximately 25 per cent in overall hot water running costs.
These savings are equivalent to installing 23 domestic solar hot water systems, taking 17 cars off the road or planting 105 trees.
Installation of the commercial solar hot water systems were completed in June, with patrons now enjoying clean green showers from the sun.
The project is supported by the Victorian Government Sustainability Fund, which is managed by Sustainability Victoria. The Sustainability Fund supports innovative projects that foster sustainable resource use and have economic and social benefits for Victorians.
Mitchell CEO, Bill Braithwaite, welcomed the switch to solar.
“Council is committed to improving our environmental performance, particularly with regard to greenhouse emissions,” he said. “Switching to solar hot water at the Sports and Aquatic Centre will reduce energy use and save money at the same time.
“Council is continuing to look for ways we can make a difference environmentally.”
Council also recently installed solar power (PV) in change rooms at sporting reserves in two of its towns.
For further information contact Daniel Scoullar at Mitchell Shire Council on (03) 5734 6359
