Lake Mac City a solar powerhouse
Date Posted: 19 July 2012
Residents are helping make Lake Macquarie a solar powerhouse with more than 5000 solar power systems generating energy on rooftops around the city.
Energy provider Ausgrid recently reported that Lake Macquarie sits at the top of the network's ladder with 5751 solar power systems installed, more than 1000 ahead of Gosford who were the next closest with 4304. Collectively, Lake Macquarie's solar photovoltaic systems have an overall peak generating capacity of 11.8 megawatts.
Council's Acting Manager Sustainability, Symon Walpole, said Lake Macquarie residents are seeing the value in making the switch to solar.
"The City's excellent performance reflects our community's commitment to living sustainably," Mr Walpole said.
"Council's efforts and commitment have played a big part in this outstanding result, because our Smart Energy workshops and our annual Living Smart Festival at Speers Point Park have generated plenty of interest in solar.
"We estimate that the solar systems could mean energy savings for customers of around $4.3 million a year and will reduce carbon emissions by 18,000 tonnes a year.
"We have worked hard in recent years to demonstrate the benefits of solar power and make it easier for Lake Macquarie residents to access government rebates and incentives."
This week Charlestown Library became the seventh major Lake Macquarie City Council building to have solar power installed.