Northern Beaches Council has taken another step towards net zero emissions with the installation of Council’s largest solar panel system to date on the roof of Manly’s Andrew Boyd Charlton Aquatic Centre.

Council recently installed the 265kW system, which is expected to offset nearly a quarter of the Aquatic Centre’s electricity demand from the grid.

This project will reduce carbon emissions by more than 300 tonnes per year, equivalent to removing 100 cars from local roads, helping Council reach its target for Council-wide buildings and operations of net zero emissions by 2045.

It will also deliver significant reductions to Council’s electricity bills each year.  

Mayor Michael Regan said the installation was part of a strategy to have all suitable Council sites powered by renewable electricity by 2030.

“Council is working hard towards meeting all targets in our Environment & Climate Change Strategy. This year, we have installed 400kW of solar panels across seven sites, which is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 465 tonnes a year and lead to considerable annual cost savings.

 “The solar array at Andrew Boyd Charlton Aquatic Centre is one of the largest single solar installations on the Northern Beaches. 

“Council now has nearly 800 kW installed across 40 sites, doubling last year’s total and making Northern Beaches one of the biggest solar producing Councils in Sydney.

 “We are doing our bit to reduce carbon emissions on the Northern Beaches and to help reduce the impact of climate change.”

Other Council locations to get solar panels this year include Glen Street Library, Manly Senior Citizens Centre, Boondah Depot, Belrose Children’s Centre, Harbourview Children’s Centre and the Kangaroo Street Children’s Centre.

Media Enquiries: media@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au 9942 2678