Depot goes solar

Published on 24 April 2023

Drone image of the Council Depot with a green roof covered with solar panels

Lane Cove Council's works depot is almost off the grid year round, thanks to new solar panels (pictured right) and batteries.

The works depot, on Lloyd Rees Drive, now has 138 solar panels to run the depot, which includes a workshop, mechanics shed, bush regeneration space, nursery, security lights, and onsite office.

The 51kW system has produced an average of 174kWh a day since it was commissioned, supplying electricity directly to the depot, with excess stored in two 10kW Tesla batteries and the remainder fed to the grid.

Mayor Andrew Zbik said it bolstered Council's commitment to assist our community to achieve an 80% reduction in emissions by 2036.

"We have a strong sustainability focus and we're making big strides towards our ambitious goal to reduce our environmental footprint," Clr Zbik said.

"The only time we'll need to draw electricity from the grid is when there's an extended period of cloud cover and the batteries are exhausted.

"We're leading by example and encouraging our community to do the same by installing solar, switching to GreenPower and making small changes at their home or business."

The $300,000 project was funded by the Sustainability Levy and included the solar project, a new roof, guttering and rainwater collection into our existing 360,000 litre tank which is used to irrigate nearby Blackman Oval. All lights at the Depot including security lights have been changed to LED over the past few years.

Key Council energy projects:

  • The Tantallon Oval pavilion, opened in September 2022, is self-sufficient with solar panels and batteries running the LED sportsfield lights and pavilion with change rooms and kiosk.
  • From July 2022, all Council facilities and street lights were powered by 100% renewable energy in a landmark GreenPower deal, drawing from three NSW solar farms.
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