A new land lease community at South West Rocks, NSW, is investing in a $1.2 million renewable energy microgrid to stay carbon neutral.
The Links South West Rocks, on the NSW Mid North Coast between Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie, is a gated land lease community capped at 199 houses. Most of these houses will feature a photovoltaic (PV) solar panel array, which will share solar energy throughout the village including to its community facilities.
Consultant Stuart Watson, who is working with installer Wauchope Solar, says the system will scale up to a peak of 1.2 megawatts when completed.
“Currently there are already 14 occupied houses which, due to COVID-19, are selling faster than expected as people move to South West Rocks looking for a safe place to retire on the coast.
“Residents will get a lower cost and more reliable electricity supply while the village operator, Sea Spirit Lifestyle Communities, estimates total payback in less than five years, which is in line with commercial rooftop solar installs. We hope to support the network with a community battery in the future,” he said.
The operator has also signed an initial deal for electricity supply with Enova Community Energy, which supplies 100 per cent renewably-sourced power.
