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NSW courthouses to be solar powered
In a massive step towards net zero goals, thousands of solar panels are set to be installed on NSW courthouses to make the buildings more energy-efficient.
Lauren Croft
The solar panels will start being installed in early 2022 and are part of a new government initiative worth $1.8 million.
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Treasurer and Minister for Energy and Environment Matt Kean said solar panel rollout supports the NSW government’s commitment to halve the state’s emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050.
“It’s great to see courts joining schools, hospitals and other government buildings in the uptake of solar energy, which will help our state more than double our solar energy generation to 126,000 megawatt hours (MWh) by 2024,” he said.
“The NSW government has the nation-leading policies and plans in place to reduce our emissions by embracing solar technologies, while upskilling and supporting local workers and businesses.”
The first stage of the program will fund the installation of over 3,000 photovoltaic solar panels on 23 courthouses in metropolitan and regional NSW, according to Attorney-General Mark Speakman.
“While the judicial process is taking place inside these buildings, solar panels on their rooftops will be hard at work as well, contributing to a cleaner environment and saving taxpayers’ money,” he said.
“Courthouses in stage one will generate an estimated 2,311 megawatt hours of electricity per year – enough to supply a significant proportion of the buildings’ power, reducing carbon emissions by the equivalent of 360 average residential households.”
In addition to solar panels, the buildings will be upgraded with energy-saving LED lighting, as well as motion sensors in non-court areas, such as meeting rooms and bathrooms, allowing lights to only switch on when activated and further saving electricity.
There will also be a trial at some courthouses of smart electricity metering, batteries to store unused solar power, and electric-vehicle charging stations for departmental vehicles.
Penrith Courthouse, Mount Druitt Courthouse, Port Kembla Courthouse, Waverley Courthouse, Sydney West Trial Court, Bankstown Courthouse, Sutherland Courthouse, Liverpool Courthouse, Blacktown Courthouse, Gosford Courthouse, Tweed Heads Courthouse, Broadmeadow Courthouse, Parramatta Courthouse, Muswellbrook Courthouse, Tamworth Courthouse, Toronto Courthouse, Parramatta Children’s Court, Belmont Courthouse, Woy Woy Courthouse, Fairfield Courthouse, Coffs Harbour Courthouse, Batemans Bay Courthouse and Wyong Courthouse will all receive solar panel upgrades as part of stage one of the program and are due for completion in June 2022.
