Campaspe Shire Council will soon be installing a state of the art solar and battery storage system at the Echuca Stadium.
Mayor, Cr Adrian Weston said a traditional solar to grid system was also considered, but there is significantly more benefits in this scenario for a setup that can store and use its own electricity in a battery system.
“With most of the power being used at the stadium through the night, the approved 36 kWh battery system will be able to power the facility from the electricity generated throughout the day,” Cr Weston said.
“The solar and battery system is expected to have a return on the investment after five years and three months and will continue to reduce the stadium’s operating costs into the future.”
“Along with the financial benefits, a battery storage system will support the stadium as one of Echuca’s emergency relief centres. Power will remain in place during an emergency, even when mains power is compromised.”
“Campaspe will be the first relief centre in regional Victoria that can operate off the grid using a solar and battery system. This will also support the neighbouring Echuca South Oval in its role as a Bushfire Place of Last Resort.”
“Council believe this is another environmental leadership opportunity that encourages the community to consider how they can implement energy saving technologies at home and at work.”
The project will cost $150,000, however $62,455 of savings from council’s successful Watts Working Better Project will be allocated to reduce the total.
Three other sites were considered as part of council’s 2017 Solar Feasibility Study and they will continue to be researched and potentially implemented in the future.
There will be no impact to the patrons using the stadium during the installation period with the project expected to be completed this financial year.
