Solar Power Slashing City of Canterbury Bankstown’s Electricity Costs

Solar panels to play a key role in the City of Canterbury Bankstown’s energy future

The City of Canterbury Bankstown has announced it will install solar power systems on more buildings to make further substantial savings on its electricity bills and increase local efforts on addressing climate change.

10 solar systems have already been installed, saving Council approximately $241,000 in electricity costs and avoiding over 1,240 tonnes of carbon dioxide. To date, those systems have generated more than 1.23 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity says Administrator Richard Colley.

“After we roll out these next five solar systems, we estimate we will double our annual solar generation capacity,” stated Mr. Colley. “Solar power will play a key role in reducing our energy costs, tackling climate change and reducing emissions today, tomorrow and well into the future.”

The new systems will be installed on the following buildings:

• Yagoona Community Centre (new building)
• Canterbury-Bankstown Arts Centre
• Belmore Senior Citizen and Baby Health Centre
• ​Belmore Youth Resource Centre
• ​​Morris Iemma Indoor Sports Centre

Kickstarting A Local Solar Revolution

Council is also seeking to raise awareness of the benefits of solar energy within the Canterbury Bankstown community. Mr. Colley said that of the 70,000 houses within the council’s boundaries, less than 6,000 have solar panels installed. That works out to around 9%, which is half the national average of 18%.

Council is hoping that through setting an example and being a part of the Our Energy Future project, more households will make the switch to solar.

“There’s no denying many people are being hit hard with rising energy costs so it’s time to start thinking about other ways to potentially minimising the impact,” said Mr. Colley.

Our Energy Future is an initiative of the Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC) and is part of the Southern Sydney Renewable Energy Master Plan.

Launched in 2013, The Master Plan’s goal is to see up to 30% of the region’s energy needs being sourced through renewables. Estimates indicate the potential of local, commercially viable, renewable energy generation is up to 59%.

“Of this, residential solar PV constitutes the greatest opportunity, followed by commercial solar PV and residential solar hot water,” states the SSROC Renewable Energy Master Plan.

Canterbury-Bankstown is a local government area located in the south-western suburbs of Sydney. It was formed last year after the merging of Canterbury and Bankstown councils.

Residents of the area interested in learning more about energy efficiency and renewables can attend information sessions that are being held up until Saturday 7 October. Our beginners guide to solar power is also a good resource.