THERE'S a hitch in Tamworth Regional Council's plan to put solar panels on the roof.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
If the waterproof membrane on the building is punctured it voids the warranty.
The only way forward is a system with weights to hold the panels in place, that would add another 10,000kg to the roof and increase the price by $30,000.
A report to council for Tuesday's meeting recommends councillors vote to forgo the solar panels altogether.
The 40-year-old building has poor thermal efficiency and old light fixtures, council's sustainability officer Tim Hurcum wrote in the report.
"This leads to the building's energy costs being higher than what could potentially be achieved," he wrote.
"Upgrading the Ray Walsh Lights to LED is not dependent on the solar PV project and can proceed as a stand alone project.
"The installation of LED lighting makes up most of the energy savings for the lighting part of the project."
Access issues mean the systems to control the lights can't be installed either.
It will cost $120,000 to upgrade the building with LED lights but it's expected to save $25,000 on energy and $10,000 on maintenance costs each year.
The fluorescent lights already in the council building last 20,000 hours while the LED tube would work for 50,000.
The project would pay itself off in almost three-and-a-half years.
Council decided to install 11 solar panels and LED lights and controls in May last year.
A bid to install solar at AELEC was blocked for visual reasons.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
