{"id":30799,"date":"2019-06-03T06:56:53","date_gmt":"2019-06-02T20:26:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/?p=30799"},"modified":"2019-06-03T06:56:53","modified_gmt":"2019-06-02T20:26:53","slug":"byron-council-solar-mb1078","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/byron-council-solar-mb1078\/","title":{"rendered":"Byron Shire Council Commits Cash For 5MW Solar Farm Project"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Byron

Image via Byron Shire Council<\/p><\/div>\n

The planning, design and tender process will soon get under way for Byron Shire Council’s 5MW solar farm, which will be the largest PV power plant in the region.<\/p>\n

Byron Shire is a local government area located in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. Its towns and localities include Byron Bay, Mullumbimby and Brunswick Heads.<\/p>\n

During May’s Council meeting, it was resolved to allocate $465,000\u00a0 to progress the PV project to detailed feasibility (pre-build) and procurement phase.<\/p>\n

To be situated adjacent to the Resource Recovery Centre at Myocum on Dingo Lane, the solar farm is expected to generate enough clean electricity to offset all council’s electricity use – and then some.<\/p>\n

Council had previously committed to sourcing equivalent of 100% of its electricity needs through renewable energy by 2027.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur plan is to use the energy generated by this solar farm to help Council achieve 100% net zero emissions by 2025 and to be a leader in the region, and NSW, with renewable energy solutions for the future,” said<\/a>\u00a0 Byron Shire Mayor, Simon Richardson.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Byron Shire Council published its draft strategy<\/a> for achieving 100% net zero emissions by 2025 in late February, which was followed by a 6-week public exhibition period. The outcomes from that will be reported to Council at its meeting this month.<\/p>\n

Other Solar Energy Projects<\/h2>\n

Also in the works and much closer to fruition is a solar carpark structure next to the Council offices in Mullumbimby. The 99kW system will provide equivalent to around 20% of the building’s daily electricity consumption – plus some shade that will no doubt be greatly appreciated by drivers making use of the 40 covered spaces.<\/p>\n

Rooftop solar is also being installed at three of the shire’s sewage treatment plant sites:\u00a0 Bangalow, Byron Bay and Brunswick Heads. These systems should be completed in the next financial year.<\/p>\n

To date, Council has installed more than 215 kW of solar power capacity on its assets. These installations include:<\/p>\n