Nillumbik Shire Rolls Out More Solar And EV Chargers 

Victoria’s Nillumbik Shire Council has another two significant rooftop solar power systems up and running – including what it says is the largest installation in the local government area.

The first of the new projects is a 267kW rooftop installation at the Eltham Leisure Centre in Eltham. The $540,000 project, which includes battery backup (capacity not mentioned) that can power part of the facility in a blackout, is expected to reduce mains grid electricity consumption by around 20% annually. The system will also help power four electric vehicle charging outlets in the leisure centre car park.

The other system is a 151kW solar installation on the rooftop of the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre in Greensborough. Two electric vehicle charging stations have also been installed.

The two facilities are the largest consumers of power in the Shire (assumed: among Council assets).

“This is an important way to ensure our facilities reduce their reliance on grid electricity and are sustainable in the long-term,” said Mayor Peter Perkins. “Community feedback for the development of our new Climate Action Plan strongly supports Council cutting its emissions to net zero by 2030 or sooner.”

In December last year, Council ran a survey asking residents what action should be taken at a local level. Of the near 800 people who completed the survey:

• 93 percent said climate change is an important issue.
• 88 percent said Council operations should be net zero by 2030 or sooner
• 87 percent said the Nillumbik community should be net zero by 2050 or sooner.

A draft of the new Climate Action Plan is currently being prepared for Council to consider, which will be followed by another community consultation period before it is adopted.

Solar Farm In The Pipeline For Plenty

A member of the Cities Power Partnership, Nillumbik Shire Council  has made significant progress on its CPP pledges. It has dozens of installations in place including a 99.96kW solar + 100kWh battery system along with an electric car charging station at Community Bank Stadium in Diamond Creek.

In September last year, Council also awarded the tender for development and operation of a solar farm that will initially supply electricity to Council’s corporate buildings and street lighting as part of a phased-in purchase agreement arrangement.

To be constructed on the former Plenty landfill site, the facility will be 1.5MW capacity initially, with potential to expand to 5MW. There hasn’t been much news on that in recent months – an update in April noted concept design drawings and consultation on the Community Investment Strategy and Community Consultation and Engagement Plan were in progress. At this point, construction works will commence from mid-2022 to mid-2023.

Aside from Council’s passion for PV, residents of the local government area have also put in a good showing, with APVI estimating 21.7% of dwellings have solar panels installed. An estimated 25.5 MW of solar capacity had been installed in the LGA up to the end of March. Given an estimated population of 65,094; that works out to around 392 watts per capita.