Major solar investment at Wodonga TAFE to benefit students and the community
Thursday, 27 June 2019
After two years in planning, next month Wodonga TAFE will begin the process of installing 600 kilowatts of rooftop solar photovoltaic panels across its McKoy Street, TAFESpace and Logic Centre campuses.
Following a rigorous tender process supported by Procurement Australia, Mondo and Cherry Energy Solutions have partnered with Wodonga TAFE to provide technological expertise and install the system, which will supply up to 30% of the campus’ daily power demand, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by close to 1 million kilograms per annum. This figure is equivalent to the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by 212 passenger vehicles in one year.
With 1,584 solar panels being installed across 11 buildings, Mondo’s Ubi device, a smart energy monitoring and management system, will provide innovative load sharing capabilities through micro grids, as well as, provide real-time monitoring and enhanced management of energy produced by the system.
Wodonga TAFE Acting CEO Phil Paterson said ‘this investment by Wodonga TAFE into solar energy production and usage brings with it a number of real benefits for the institute, its students and the broader community’.
‘Not only does the project highlight the social, environment and economic importance of reducing our carbon footprint, but importantly, will see Wodonga TAFE significantly reduce power consumption costs.’
‘This is great news for our students and the community. The savings the institute makes from reduced power costs will be invested into our education programs, meaning better learning environments and tools, and improved skills outcomes for the entire community.’
With future growth and sustainability highlighted as being of strategic importance for Wodonga TAFE, this investment will not only be a key driver of future financial sustainability, but also support the Victorian Government’s policy to protect the environment, improve the management of government operations and reduce environmental impacts.