Solar
City of Ryde is committed to switching to cleaner, greener sources so we can be a more resilient community and reduce our environmental impact.
Harnessing solar power on Council buildings
We are embracing renewable energy sources and have installed solar systems to help power several of our community buildings.
Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre
Estimated to save 315 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions (CO2e) each year, the Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre’s 846 solar panels are complemented by a co-generation plant to further reduce our consumption. The 300.33kW solar PV system will reduce mains electricity consumption by 366MWH per year with annual energy savings expected to be over $35,000.
Council has also installed solar-powered hot water, rainwater tanks and other energy efficiency upgrades on site”
North Ryde Library and Community Centre
The solar system at North Ryde Library and Community was commissioned in June 2016 and is estimated to provide over 60 percent of the energy needs of the whole site. The 32.76kW system consists of 126 panels and will also help to save Council up to $11,000 per year on energy bills and reduce up to 40 tonnes of carbon that would have been generated using traditional electricity.
Eastwood Community Hall
Eastwood Hall solar was installed in early 2018, the 7.84kW system will generate 24 percent of the total sites energy needs and save almost $3,500 per year.
All the solar systems at all council sites have been fitted with smart monitoring and metering for council to track performance and consumption and this can be viewed on the North Ryde Library iPad.
West Ryde Community Centre
A 26.15kW solar PV system was installed in the second half of 2019 at West Ryde Community Centre and the system is expected to generate enough electricity to offset over 20 percent of the building’s energy consumption.
The system is also expected to reduce up to 28 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per annum and save up to $9,000 in energy bills.
Ways the City of Ryde assists residents with solar
Some 68 per cent of people in NSW say they want solar panels on their home and we’re making this even easier. Over 10.2 percent of our community have already switched to renewable energy and Council aims to make this even easier for community to switch to greener technologies and save money on energy bills.
SunSPot
If you’re looking at installing solar on your home and don’t know where to start, you can also use our solar online tool, SunSPoT. It is a free online tool to help you estimate the potential for electricity generation. This easy tool will assist you using your home address to map your roof and provide information on the size, orientation, generation and potential payback* by having a solar system installed. This information is to make the transition to solar easier by providing information households need to obtain quotes from an installer.
Find out more
Home Waste and Sustainability Advisory Service
Our Home Waste and Sustainability Advisory Service is a free assessment funded by Council to help you to reduce your energy costs and live more sustainably. Running for over seven years, this program continues to be growing in popularity with many homes seeking personalised advice by Council to save money within their home and towards being more sustainable.
A Council Officer will assess your home and utility bills to create a personalised tailored action plan for your household to help you maximise energy and water efficiency, reduce waste and save money.
As part of this program, for those who register and receive an assessment, the City of Ryde hosts a Home Waste and Sustainability Assessment competition with three winners annually receiving $1,500 to implement assessment actions and undertake eco home improvements. Register here.
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Cities Power Partnership
The Cities Power Partnership is a network of 70 local governments that represents more than 7.5 million people. Local councils who join the partnership pledge to take five key actions across renewable energy, efficiency and transport.
It supports councils to take practical and effective steps to introduce clean energy technology, energy efficiency, sustainable transport and other climate solutions to their respective local communities.
The five actions below have been chosen for Ryde to undertake for 2018/19:
- Provide council resources to educate and support uptake of renewable energy.
- Install renewable energy (solar PV and battery storage) on Council buildings.
- Roll out energy efficient lighting, particularly street lighting, across the municipality.
- Encourage sustainable transport use through Council transport planning and design.
- Implement an education and behaviour change program to influence behaviour of Council Officers, local residents and businesses within the municipality to drive the shift to renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy transport.
Find out more
Solar Panels and Home Waste Sustainability Advisory Service