A Shellharbour licensed club is installing what is claimed to be the largest solar system of any club in Australia.
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When this 314kW photovoltaic (PV) system is installed it will bring the Warilla Bowls and Recreation Club’s total capacity to 414kW, allowing the venue to reduce its electricity consumption by 25 per cent, the club said.
This would be enough to deliver a $75,000 windfall to the club through the combination of the power bill reduction, and the trading of Large-Scale Generation Certificates, the club said.
It’s understood the club was motivated to act by recent electricity price rises, but it is also an active member of a group called the Sustainable Clubs Alliance.
Club general manager Phillip Kipp said there were multiple reasons for expanding the solar array, which is mostly on the roofs of the club’s indoor bowling greens.
“Operating sustainably makes for a very compelling business case,” Mr Kipp said.
“Not only will the club make significant cost savings but we will also minimise our impact upon the environment.”
He said the club had engaged Rana Environmental to manage the project and Smart Commercial Solar to complete the installation.
Operating sustainably makes for a compelling business case. Not only will the club make significant cost savings but we will also minimise our impact upon the environment.
- Phillip Kipp, GM
Rana Environmental Principal Consultant Levi Gibson said the club was playing a leadership role in the community with this commitment to renewable energy generation.
“Warilla Bowling Club is committed to leading by example and this project further demonstrates their focus to support a sustainable community”, he said.
Warilla Bowls already had solar capacity of 100kW (also installed by Rana), but the new section, bringing capacity to 414kW, would “constitute the largest solar system on a club in Australia”, Mr Gibson said.
This could not immediately be verified.
Mr Gibson said other clubs in the region were also getting involved in large solar projects.
The Illawarra Yacht Club and the Dapto Leagues Club had invested in solar with a combined capacity of 163kW, he said.