Maryborough Corps goes solar to benefit the community
Rooftop solar capacity in Central Victoria has just been given a significant boost, with the Maryborough Corps installing a large renewable energy system.
Corps Officer Captain Ronald Stobie said he was thrilled with this new investment and extremely happy to lead the way in reducing the community’s carbon footprint.
“The 40kw, 96-panel system will help meet our nation’s emissions reduction target and is part of our nationwide renewable energy project for The Salvation Army,” he said. “Nationally, The Salvation Army aims to meet its target of 6.17 megawatts of renewable energy by the end of June.”
Ronald is looking forward to seeing considerable savings on energy bills for The Salvation Army from now on, and he says these savings will be redirected into expanded services and programs for the community.
Climate Action Stewarding Group (CASG) member Bronwen Haywood explained that our nation is a world leader in the uptake of rooftop solar, and around 28 per cent of local dwellings had solar panels by 2020, according to More Australian Solar Homes (MASH).
“It’s important that our community recognises and celebrates the marvellous contributions local organisations and businesses are making towards renewable energy,” she said.
Bronwen added that while it’s great that those who can afford solar panels on their homes are expanding our renewable energy capability, it’s also important that no one is left behind.
“The great thing about The Salvation Army’s new investment is that the benefits flow through to the people who are doing it tough with the increasing costs of living and who will benefit from increased investment in our community services,” she said.
“CASG – a partnership between the Central Goldfields Shire Council staff, councillors and community group representatives – is very aware of equity in the sharing of the benefits of renewable energy, and this is a guiding principle behind the CGSC Climate Action Plan.”
Ronald said The Salvation Army’s large buildings and facilities include an industrial kitchen, a church, family support rooms, meeting rooms, a large pantry and multi-purpose rooms, which require considerable power to operate.
“We have an expansive roof area, so it just makes perfect sense to use this to produce our own power,” he said.
Source: Maryborough Advertiser, Maryborough, 27 June 2023.
AGL partners with The Salvation Army: click here
The Salvos and climate change: click here
Comments