More Solar Energy For WA’s City Of Busselton

Western Australia’s City of Busselton Council says it is expecting a 2-3 year payback on its latest solar power system installations.

The City of Busselton is a local government area (LGA) approximately 230 kilometres south of Perth. It’s home to 36,686 people (Census 2016) and its two largest towns are Busselton and Dunsborough.

In an effort to reduce energy costs and Council’s carbon footprint, solar panels are currently being installed on four more Council facilities.

• Busselton Depot – 28kW
• Naturaliste Community Centre – 40kW
• Busselton Library – 40kW
• Geographe Leisure Centre – 100kW

Batteries will also be installed when energy storage is financially viable.

The latest installations join other PV in Council’s portfolio, including a 100kW system installed on the main administration building last year – which may also see an expansion in the future.

“With these additional rooftop solar installations, the City will produce an estimated 391,864 kWh per annum of renewable energy or the equivalent 11% of the City’s electricity use (excluding unmetered street lighting),” states Council.

All four system installations are being performed by West Australian Alternative Energy, which specialises in commercial solar.

City of Busselton Energy Strategy

The new installations fall under the City of Busselton Energy Strategy, which will be voted on at the next Council meeting on December 11. The Strategy is intended to provide the City with strategic direction on energy efficiency activities and increased uptake of renewables.

Its draft targets are:

• Generating 100% of the City of Busselton’s electricity needs from renewables by 2030.
• Reducing corporate carbon emissions per capita to 50% on 2017/18 levels by 2030.
• Developing efficiency targets for fleet and plant by 2025.

Under the Strategy, more solar energy is on the cards – including a  “mid-scale” solar farm (capacity not noted) at Lot 27 Rendezvous Road, which could enable the City to reach its 100% renewables target. However, some renewable energy may also be sourced through GreenPower, LGCs or Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).

Other initiatives in the Strategy include identifying opportunities to turn waste into energy and rolling out energy efficient lighting for street lights.

Council also provided in principle support for joining the Cities Power Partnership in September last year and under an endorsed Strategy, this would go ahead. The City says it has been working toward reducing its energy use and carbon emissions for the last decade; including participation in the Cities for Climate Protection program, which is no longer operating.