General News
26 June, 2023
The Salvos go solar
Rooftop solar capacity in the shire has just been given a significant boost with the Maryborough Salvation Army installing a large renewable energy system. Salvation Army Corps Officer, Ronald Stobie, is thrilled with this new investment and is...
Rooftop solar capacity in the shire has just been given a significant boost with the Maryborough Salvation Army installing a large renewable energy system.
Salvation Army Corps Officer, Ronald Stobie, is thrilled with this new investment and is extremely happy to be leading the way in reducing the community’s carbon footprint.
“The 40 kw, 96 panel system will help meet our nation’s emissions reduction target and is a part of our nation-wide 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.”
Mr Stobie 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 percent 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.”
Mr Stobie 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 a considerable amount 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.