solar panels installation cairns
Solar-powered boost for Cairns Ecofiesta
Businesses and entrepreneurs with a green edge are being invited to take part in the Far North’s Premier sustainability festival.
Boosted by solar power and aiming to be waste-free, Cairns Ecofiesta, returns on the last Sunday in May with expanded offerings, including a dedicated technology zone, and zero-emissions stages.
Council is inviting local eco-businesses – especially those with smart green tech to show off – as well as performers, artisans, food and drink vendors, entertainers, not-for-profit organisations and volunteers to get involved and apply online to be part of Cairns Ecofiesta 2022.
The festival will again be a leading example in running a sustainable event with the performance stage to be powered by solar energy.
The event will also be waste-free with a system of re-useable, commercially washed cutlery and crockery replacing single-use items.
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said Ecofiesta was growing in 2022, expanding out of Munro Martin Parklands and into Florence St, between Sheridan and Grafton streets, to cater for the growing popularity of the event.
“We are leading by example with Ecofiesta, demonstrating how you can hold a big event with a small ecological footprint,” Cr Manning said.
“We invite the whole community to get involved to celebrate our wonderful environment, as well as learning some sustainability tips and tricks, or investing in a product or technology that will help you live greener.”
Ecofiesta is an all ages event, with free entry, entertainment and eco-activities for everyone, presented by Cairns Regional Council.
Applications and expressions of interest are now open for stallholders, entertainers, food and drink vendors, volunteers and sponsors. Applications for entertainers, performers and food stalls close 28 March. General stallholder applications close 22 April.
Cairns Regional Council IS A POWER PARTNER
50% GHG reduction target 2.8Mw Solar
Cairns Regional Council is proactively investing in clean energy and energy efficiency because we are committed to reducing our environmental impact on this beautiful and environmentally significant region. At the same time, we consider this an important tool to drive down our operational costs, so we can better serve our vibrant community and the millions of visitors we greet each year. We are honoured to join towns and cities across Australia who are doing the same through the Cities Power Partnership.
Cairns isn’t letting water or solar go to waste
Cairns Regional Council is nearing the completion of four mini solar farms across its Wastewater Treatment Plants, a development that will significantly reduce emissions and save on the electricity bill.
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning (front) with (from left) Oceanic Solar project manager Marley Brown, G-Solar and Electrical director Grant Newman, and Council’s energy management and sustainability advisor Daniel Stronggrove at the Marlin Coast Wastewater Treatment Plant mini solar farm.
Two things to know about Cairns, it’s hot and wet. Thankfully, the North Queensland brains-trust has got together and found a way to simplify things by bringing those two facts together: solar-powered Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP).
Four small-scale solar farms are currently under construction across five of Cairns’ WWTPs, a constellation of solar PV that will generate approximately 2.92 GWh of energy annually, and meet a quarter of the plants total energy requirements.
Moreover, this investment in renewable energy will reduce Cairns Council’s absolute emissions by 7%. Cairns Council has yet to commit to any emissions targets, although it did say a report with options (and associated pathways) for a 2030 emissions reduction target would be presented to Council in the first half of 2020. There has been no word yet on this report.
Although, this is not to say that Cairns is a complete clean energy neophyte. The imminent completion of these four mini solar farms will take the Council’s solar capacity to almost 2.8 MW. “This is a significant project,” said Cairns Mayor Bob Manning, “especially when you consider that once complete, there will be a total of 4200 panels installed across five sites; the average house has 20-30 panels on its roof.”
Unless it’s solar, it’s a waste
According to a paper published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, solar PV, and particularly solar thermal energy, are ideal energy sources for wastewater treatment plants. Wastewater treatment plants operate 24/7 with a stable load, meaning that electricity consumption takes up more than 30% of total production costs. As the paper’s authors note: “The combination of photovoltaic power and wastewater treatment with the implementation of contract energy management can further reduce the cost of wastewater treatment.”
The Cairns Regional Council’s installations are taking place at Marlin Coast WWTP (756 ground-mounted panels), Northern WWTP in Aeroglen (1484 panels), Southern WWTP (1,484 ground mounted panels), Edmonton WWTP (combination of 392 ground and rooftop panels) and Gordonvale WWTP (84 roof panels).
The $3 million construction, expected to see completion in July 2020, has been undertaken by Solgen Energy Group, whose CCO David Naismith said that local businesses and resources had been tapped for the job that would see 1.7 MW rolled out across the various WWTPs.
Solgen Energy Group is no stranger to commercial and industrial solar installations, indeed it was the EPC contractor behind the 2.1 MW rooftop installation atop Hilton Foods Australia thought to be Australia’s second-largest privately-owned rooftop PV array.
The panels, said Naismith, are bifacial and entirely made of glass, systems that will maximise solar production through converting sunshine and its reflections to electricity via both sides of the panel. “Cairns Regional Council’s solar initiatives are an outstanding example of reducing costs and reducing emissions while utilising redundant space such as rooftops and reclaimed land.”
Solar Panel Installation and Maintenance Cairns
Tropical Far North Queensland’s sun provides a perfect setting for solar panels and with seemingly endless sunny days, the choice to switch to solar is an easy one for homeowners. With a lot of solar installation companies in the market, promoting amazing deals, the choice of the installer, however, can be a tricky decision, but with the Queensland winner of the Best Family Owned Solar and Electrical Contracting Business 2021, servicing the Cairns region, you can rest assured that by choosing Watts Up Solar and Electrical you are getting the best of the best.
Why choose Watts Up Solar & Electrical?
Watts Up Solar and Electrical are one of the Cairns regions premier solar panel installation specialists, having more than 11 of years of dedicated industry experience behind us. As a local business we pride ourselves on offering a comprehensive solar panel installation service to both residential and commercial clients, with tailored solar solutions to best suit the individual needs of our clients.
Whilst solar panel installations are our speciality, the Watts Up Solar and Electrical team also have extensive experience in the provision of a wide range of general electrical services, in addition to offering technical consulting services. Our team are NETCC Accredited designers and installers, offering repair and maintenance services.
Our team are also committed to establishing and maintaining sound long-term and ongoing relationships with our clients and we pride ourselves on offering quality without compromise, ensuring that each and every client receives the best and highest quality products for their needs.
We aim to provide superior preparation, efficiency, product knowledge and experience, the Watts Up Solar and Electrical team are the smart choice for all solar installations.
Residential and Commercial Solar Installation Specialists
With 11 years’ experience in solar panel and solar system installations, Watts Up Solar and Electrical provide a comprehensive solar panel installation service to both residential and commercial clients in the greater Cairns region. From the beaches suburbs of Palm Cove, Trinity Beach and Yorkey’s Knob, through to the City and the southern suburbs such as Gordonvale to Port Douglas, Mareeba, Atherton, Watts Up Solar and Electrical can tailor a solar panel system to suit your household or business.
Our comprehensive solar panel installation service includes;
- Product recommendations
- Customised solar panel design to suit your home or commercial premises
- Installation
- Ongoing repairs and maintenance services
Watts Up Solar and Electrical also offer ongoing support, so you can rest assured that we don’t just love you and leave you following the design and installation phase, we continuously work with you and are ready to assist with any issues or questions post installation.
Environmentally Friendly, Cost -Effective Energy Options
There has never been a better time to install a solar energy system at your home or commercial premises. With many rebates on offer, and the cost of energy only increasing, installing a solar system is not only a cost-effective energy option, but is also environmentally friendly and sustainable long term. With the cost benefits of installing a solar panel system, able to be recouped in only a matter of a few years, setting yourself up for long term savings and reduced energy bills, ensures more money is on your pocket.
Premium Quality Solar Panel Products
With our extensive industry experience, particularly working within the harsh sun and weather conditions experienced in Australia, Watts Up Solar and Electrical understands the importance of installing superior quality products that can withstand such conditions and we only use the best quality solar panels, all of which come with an extensive warranty, guaranteeing longevity.
We recommend and regularly install the following brands of solar panels in both residential and commercial premises, in the Cairns region;
- Australian-made MC 2 panels
- RISEN, self-cleaning anti-soiling panels
- German Solar Panels
- Jinko Panels
- HYUNDAI panels
With so many solar panel installation options on the market, get in contact with one of the Cairns’ region’s premier solar panel installation experts today and start utilising affordable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly energy options in your home today.