Barwon Water is plugging in a solar array

Barwon Water is ready to plug in its latest solar project that will keep the water corporation on track to meet its target of 100% renewable energy by 2025.

Seven hundred and twenty solar panels, making up what is known as a ‘solar array’, will soon be connected on unused land next to Barwon Water’s storage facility on Grossmans Road in Torquay, opposite the new Salt Torquay development.

The array will produce 370,000 kilowatt hours of energy that will help power Barwon Water’s Torquay operations, with additional energy feeding into the grid. Enough electricity to meet the needs of about 80 homes each year will be generated.

Barwon Water Managing Director Tracey Slatter said Barwon Water is investing in renewable energy initiatives to reduce electricity costs and emissions.

“Barwon Water’s focus on renewable energy not only limits our impact on the environment but also helps us keep our costs downs and our customers’ bills low,” she said.

The solar initiative runs in parallel to the future development of new energy-efficient homes in the neighbouring Salt Torquay estate — a former Barwon Water basin site.

The array has also been designed to allow a micro-grid that could one day integrate solar resources across the Salt Torquay estate and neighbouring properties.

“The solar array will support Salt Torquay as a shining example of innovative sustainable design and low-footprint living,” Slatter said.

“The new homes will feature solar panels, battery storage and provision for electric car charging.”

Salt Torquay is located on the 5.4-hectare site of the former Barwon Water Torquay Basin.The development will include 81 dwellings comprising a mix of housing types, including houses, townhouses and units. Civil construction works, including drainage, roads and pavements, and installation of sewer and water services and public lighting, are expected to continue until late 2018.