Home to the local art gallery and library, Coffs Harbour’s Rigby House will soon be adorned with a solar panelled roof as part of Council’s plans for a more sustainable future.
Mayor Keith Rhoades said the conversion, which began recently, will be historic for the New South Wales coastal council.
“It will become the first solar powered public building in Coffs Harbour,” he said.
The building will continue to add to energy saving projects already in place.
“We already use energy efficient street lighting. We also source much of our electricity needs from non fossil fuel renewable sources and use solar water heating at several locations.”
Council’s General Manager, Stephen Sawtell, said the new system could save around
200 tonnes of greenhouse gases every year.
“The solar grid feed system being installed on the roof of Rigby House will generate around half the power needed to run the building’s heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, office equipment and lifts,” Stephen Sawtell said.
“The photovoltaic system will not produce any noise, toxic gas emissions or greenhouse gases.”
Council predicts the solar panels will save around $30,000 a year in electricity costs and will generate approximately $6,500 per annum in Renewable Energy Certificates.
Stephen Sawtell believes the roof conversion is important in encouraging the whole community to use renewable energy sources.
He said an educational display in the building’s foyer is aimed at encouraging residents to install solar systems of their own.
“This project also gives us an excellent opportunity to build links with the community, business and industry around renewable technologies,” he said.
