SOLAR SUCCESS

The Hervey Bay RSL Club has embraced solar energy in a push to save on soaring electricity costs and lead the way in using renewable energy on the Fraser Coast.

Patrons would have noticed the scissor lifts and cranes in the car park over the past three months while the team from GCR Solar Hervey Bay installed the 244KW system on the RSL Club roof.

The crew positioned 450 panels perfectly to get the most out of the major investment which has seen the RSL move into a new era of sustainable energy.

Hervey Bay RSL CEO Jason Lynch said the switch to solar was a no-brainer with the cost per KW set to rise by 50% in 2024.

“Using the roof of a building and using the natural ability of the sun to generate power makes sense,” Mr Lynch said.

“Not only are we now saving money on electricity but we are also doing our bit for the environment by using clean energy.”

Mr Lynch said savings from the installation will cover the purchase price of the solar within the first four years. Without solar, the club’s power bill had soared to over $350,000 a year.

With the solar now up and running a saving of about $100,000 per year will be a welcomed relief well into the future.

“We will make the most out of the panels during the day with the power turned on at 4am every day and sometimes running to 1.30am the next day, particularly on weekends.

“Our forecasts show a combined peak and off-peak solar offset value of

345,327kWh annually which is a substantial amount of energy.”

In 2015, the Queensland Government started a renewable energy boom in Queensland to reduce emissions, create new jobs and diversify the state's economy by establishing a 50% renewable energy target by 2030. A combination of commercial and rooftop solar around the state sees more than 8,900MW of renewable energy capacity, putting downward pressure on electricity prices. In total, 22.7% of electricity used in Queensland is produced from renewable energy sources.

The Hervey Bay RSL is proud to now be part of the energy efficiency solution.

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PRIZES DRAWN

SATURDAY AUGUST 19th

DRAWS at 1pm, 1.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm esent to claim prizes *Win