By Melissa Coleman
Hospitals across the Southern Downs and Granite Belt regions are going off grid for a more sustainable future.
Recently the Stanthorpe and Warwick health precincts have been fitted with solar panels to harness the power of the sun, in an effort to reduce energy costs.
Hospitals are traditionally large consumers of energy operating 24/7, seven days a week and using a significant amount of equipment.
So depending on weather conditions, the solar panels are expected to produce a significant savings each year for the health facilities.
Stanthorpe director of nursing Chris Smith said the systems were set up to only generate the amount of electricity that hospitals use during the day and weren’t designed to put electricity back into the grid.
“No matter the size of the facility, the solar panel project by Darling Downs Health is reducing the cost of daytime electricity across the region, pending weather conditions,” Smith said.
Warwick director of nursing Alison Evans said it had been great to watch the solar panels be installed at The Oaks Residential Aged Care Facility next to the hospital, and we’re excited to have the system up and running.
“Especially as we head into summer, it’s wonderful to be harnessing the power of the sun here in Warwick,” Mr Evans said.
“If a power outage were to occur, a backup generator automatically turns on to supply electricity to facilities and the solar panel system is switched off, which is industry standard.”
Texas, Inglewood, Taroom, Jandowae, Baillie Henderson, Cherbourg, Miles and Tara have also powered up with solar panels.
Darling Downs Health senior project officer Rob McHugh said it was currently installing solar at Oakey and Wondai hospitals.
“Other facilities including Nanango, Kingaroy Dental, Mount Lofty, Millmerran and Dalby will also have solar panels installed soon,” Mr McHugh said.
“It’s wonderful to know that while our hospitals are creating so much good inside of them, they’re also now creating good on the outside too.”
