Council is to spend up to $40,000 expanding its solar energy generation at its Whangārei headquarters in a move that clearly demonstrates council’s practical commitment to climate change mitigation. 

The current solar array at Water Street, pictured during its installation, provides 20kW and has been operational since April 2015 producing approximately 180,000 kWh of electricity. The existing array was designed to produce approximately 15% of the weekday demand. 

The proposed expansion – planned for later this year – will boost the electricity produced to almost 25% of weekday demand.