The J Theatre Noosa was the setting for the successful Zero Emissions Noosa Event – “Solar for Strata: A New Era”.
In addition to Councillors Brian Stockwell and Amelia Lorentson, Noosa Council’s Deputy Mayor Frank Wilkie was on hand to help launch the initiative and remarked, "It’s a pleasure to help ZEN launch the “Solar for Strata: A New Era” event today which follows the work begun with the Solar Strata Master Class back in March 2020 at the RACV resort". In 2018 there was 29MW of solar installed in the Noosa Shire. That figure has now grown to at least 71MW. “This means, that instead of flowing to electricity providers, an enormous cash equivalent now remains in the hands of Noosa businesses and residents, enriching the local economy”.
This was the first major opportunity in two years for ZEN Inc. to bring industry participants together in this journey alongside ZEN Inc members, Noosa Councillors and Tourism Noosa representatives Melanie Anderson and Juanita Terry Bloomfield.
“Over 40 attendees were treated to informative and inspiring presentations highlighting the New Era for Solar Strata after the successful installation of a “Solar Revenue Model” at Noosa Lakes Resort, where the Body Corporate diverts income from Electricity Retailers to the Body Corporate community by supplying them solar electricity”
Industry experts Ian Wright, Gareth Duggan and Andrew Davidson mapped out why solar makes sense and how Body Corporate teams in the Noosa Shire can go solar and increase revenue through this new process. As the Noosa Lakes Resort’s successful outcome shows, solar strata is a "no-brainer", as described by Tourism Noosa's CEO Melanie Anderson.
To help guide Body Corporate committees through the process, Gareth explained "a dedicated solar champion helps to speed up the process and avoids fatigue. Start saving earlier by enlisting the help of someone with experience." Ian Wright is that person with the experience and passion to get you there.
A key element in ZEN’s project plan is for Ian to work with 8 Body Corporate committees to develop an individualised Feasibility Study for each: identifying the key legal, technical, and financial hurdles for their situation and a plan to overcome them. Ian remarked, “Noosa Lakes, has delivered such a great revenue solution and I’m just keen to encourage all Bodies Corporate to get on board to help reduce emissions, whilst creating a new revenue stream for your communities”.
Andrew Davidson from Team Body Corporate said the “going solar is one of the best solutions to preparing for a new future aiming to achieve Council and ZEN Inc’s goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions in the Noosa Shire by 2026. An increased uptake amongst the Strata sector would be a great step towards this goal and with the support and experience being offered through this program (made possible through a Noosa Council Grant) we can all be assured that our goal is within reach!”
ZEN Inc. will be documenting and publishing the lessons learned from these eight case studies so that others can follow in their footsteps. For more details please visit the ZEN website – zeroemissionsnoosa.com.au