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Diocese makes the solar switch

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The Catholic Diocesan Centre in Wakefield Street has taken a major ‘green’ step forward with the installation of 270 solar panels on its roof recently.

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Installed over 500 square metres of roof space, the panels will result in a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and energy cost savings.

The 99.9kW system is capable of generating about 135,235kWh of solar power per annum, resulting in a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 83,846kg of carbon dioxide.

The Archdiocese’s property manager Kyla Daly said it was expected this would also reduce annual energy costs for the centre by more than $43,000 each year.

Ms Daly said the project followed on from the successful installation of solar panels on several properties in the Adelaide Cathedral parish.

“The parish couldn’t install panels on St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral because of the roof structure and it is heritage listed, however we have been looking at installing them on the Diocesan Centre for some time now,” she said.

“In the past, the shadowing from neighbouring buildings hasn’t made it a viable option for the Diocesan Centre, however technology has improved to allow further tolerance to shade.

“With the strategic location of the panels on the roof we are now guaranteed of producing power as the shadow of 30 Wakefield Street moves across our building.”

Solar Wholesalers completed the project over a week in February. To minimise disruption to traffic and staff at the centre, the brackets, electrical conduit and inverters were craned in early on Monday morning. The panels were craned up and installed in a single day with final connections and wiring undertaken during the remainder of the week.

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