TAMWORTH Regional Council could power ahead with a proposal to install solar panels at one of its major facilities despite concerns it could tarnish the aesthetics of the unique structure.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Council will meet for the final time this year on Tuesday and it could be a long night at Ray Walsh House with 30 items on the agenda.
While there is sure to be some debate on the business case for a new $61 million aquatic centre, it’s the last chance for some projects to get approval before council’s next meeting on February 12, 2019.
One report up for consideration has recommended council forge ahead with a solar power project at AELEC.
READ MORE:
Council has backed a number of renewable energy projects in the past opting for solar power at several of its facilities.
But in September it drew the line at the equine centre with councillors fearing solar panels would tarnish the aesthetic appeal of the unique building.
The councillors asked for more research into switching to solar at AELEC.
If the renewed solar bid gets the councillors approval, it would see a 50kW solar array on the roof of stable block B with a price tag just shy of $75,000.
The proposal is to install solar panels flat on the roof and follow the curve of the existing structure.
- TRC sustainability officer Tim Hurcum
The latest report to council said this was the most discreet option.
“The northern facing roof of stable block B can not be seen from 80m west of the roundabout on Jack Smyth Drive, or 80m south of the roundabout on the New England Highway,” council sustainability officer Tim Hurcum wrote in his report
“The proposal is to install solar panels flat on the roof and follow the curve of the existing structure.”
With the panels to follow the distinctive curves of the roof, it is believed there would be some impact on the amount of energy which could be harvested through the solar array.
“Due to the curve of the roof, solar panels mounted towards the top of the roof laying almost flat will not give ideal production but the overall production loss of having panels follow the curve of the roof line is less than three per cent and will not significantly affect system performance,” Mr Hurcum’s report said.
Russell Webb voiced the strongest opposition to the AELEC solar proposal in September when he said he would “hate to see solar fitted” to the building.
If council goes ahead with the solar project, it has been estimated it would save more than $7000 a year in power bills with a simple pay back period of 10 years.
In the last financial year, Tamworth Regional Council paid $156,990 to power the equine centre.