Lake Macquarie City Council is reaping the rewards of solar panels, using the power of the sun to reduce their carbon emissions and save thousands of dollars.
The council has installed a further 241 solar panels at its Works Depot adding to the panels already installed across major council buildings capable of generating 550kW.
Solar panels have been installed at council's administration building which generates 176kW of power, and also at the Speers Point Swim Centre, the art gallery, Charlestown and Belmont Libraries, the Rural Fire Service Headquarters and other buildings throughout the local government area.
So far the panels have reduced council's carbon emission by a massive 856 tonnes - the equivalent of taking 200 cars off the road - and saved $156,000 annually.
"We estimate that those installations are reducing our electricity bills by around about $156,000 dollars every year so that translates directly into savings on the cost of council services for ratepayers," said Manager of Sustainability Alice Howe.
Council isn't stopping there, they aim to make the city a solar powerhouse in the Lower Hunter, and already have 14 per cent of homes having solar panels installed on rooftops throughout the city.
