Sustainable Council
Hobsons Bay is taking big steps towards the community’s vision of zero net emissions by 2030 with the Virtual Power solar energy project.
Solar panels
Large scale solar panels are now being installed on over 40 Council-owned buildings. The system will have the capacity to generate approximately 5,000 megawatt hours of solar electricity per year.
This will result in substantial savings from reduced energy costs, which is money that Council can put back into community services and programs. It will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 4,000 tonnes per year.
Virtual Power
Hobsons Bay is taking the lead in generating renewable energy through its large scale solar panel roll out. It will accelerate the uptake of renewable energy, reduce the impacts of climate change and create local jobs.
Rooftop solar will be connected via a Virtual Energy Network (VEN). The VEN will interact with the electricity grid so that excess renewable energy generated from individual sites can be allocated to other sites that have higher electricity use at different times of the day.
Community benefit
Residents of Hobsons Bay can take pride in knowing their community facilities are being powered by green energy. It is estimated that the project will reduce Council emissions by 55 per cent (4000 tonnes per annum).
Community groups and organisations who operate in a Council owned building will also have access to the renewable energy generated onsite that feeds into the network.
Council is committed to supporting the community to also access renewable electricity and has recently concluded community consultation seeking input into the best energy programs that suit our residents and businesses. This information is being analysed and will inform any future community renewable energy access programs.
Virtual Power Sites
Some community facilities included in the Virtual Power project are listed below with key statistics to show their contribution.
Civic Centre
Over 1500m2 of solar panel coverage. That's the equivalent size of over three and a half full size basketball courts.
302 kW system size and 380,294 kWh estimated energy generation per year.
That's the equivalent amount of energy needed to supply over 82 average Victorian households.
Emissions savings estimate: 380 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
Additional solar panels are to be installed on the Civic Centre's car park roof. This will increase the total installation size to 402kW.
Altona Library
63.22 kW system size and 79,610 kWh estimated energy generation per year.
That's the equivalent amount of energy needed to supply over 17 average Victorian households
Emissions savings estimate: 79 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent
Williamstown Library
52.36 kW system size and 65,934 kWh estimated energy generation per year.
That's the equivalent amount of energy needed to supply over 14 average Victorian households
Emissions savings estimate: 65 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent
Altona Meadows Library
56 kW system size and 70,518 kWh estimated energy generation per year.
That's the equivalent amount of energy needed to supply over 15 average Victorian households
Emissions savings estimate: 70 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent
Altona North Library
50 kW system size and 62,963 kWh estimated energy generation per year.
That's the equivalent amount of energy needed to supply over 13 average Victorian households
Emissions savings estimate: 62 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent
Newport Hub
55 kW system size and 69,258 kWh estimated energy generation per year.
That's the equivalent amount of energy needed to supply over 15 average Victorian households
Emissions savings estimate: 69 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent
Laverton Hub
99.28 kW system size and 125,018 kWh estimated energy generation per year.
That's the equivalent amount of energy needed to supply over 27 average Victorian households
Emissions savings estimate: 125 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent