Goethe-Institut in Woollahra goes solar
Published on 14 September 2022
Goethe-Institut in Woollahra has installed rooftop solar panels with help from Council’s environmental grants program and Solar my Suburb program.
Solar my Suburb is a joint initiative with Woollahra, Waverley and Randwick councils helping clubs and community organisations save on energy bills with solar power.
The 17kW solar power system installed on the rooftop of the Goethe-Institut building will produce enough energy to power three homes, cut the Institut's bills by more than a third and reduce its carbon emissions by 23 tonnes.
The project was funded by The Goethe-Institut and a $2,000 grant from Woollahra Council’s Community Environmental Grants.
"Congratulations to everyone at Goethe-Institut on this worthwhile project!” Woollahra Mayor Susan Wynne said.
“We are proud to have played a part in making this happen with an environmental grant and I'm pleased to see another local organisation taking advantage of the fantastic advice from the Solar my Suburb team,” Mayor Wynne said.
Pictured from left: Goethe-Institut Director Christopher Mücher, Mayor Susan Wynne, Goethe-Institut CEO Johannes Ebert and German Consul General Axel Zeidler at Goethe-Institut in Woollahra.
Despite some challenges, including heritage considerations and shading from neighbouring trees and buildings, Goethe Institut were guided by the Solar my Suburb program and the new solar panel system will offer long term benefits.
It will take around 5 years for the system to 'pay for itself' in energy bill savings, which is summarised in this snapshot(PDF, 2MB).
Goethe-Institut’s Global CEO, based in Munich, Johannes Ebert, said the organisation was committed to sustainability.
An aerial photo showing new solar panels at Goethe-Institut in Woollahra.
The Solar my Suburb program provides free expert solar assessment to help choose the right size solar power system, advice on funding and payment options and support in selecting a quality system from a trusted installer.
Earlier this year, Emanuel Synagogue installed rooftop solar panels with help from Council’s environmental grants program and the Solar my Suburb program.
Other local projects supported through the program include Vaucluse Sailing Club and Lyne Park Tennis Club.
The similar Solar my School program has assisted locals schools such as Double Bay Primary School to install solar panels.
Double Bay Public School installed solar panels with help from the Solar my School program.
Would you like to see your community organisation or club go solar? Ask them to register for Solar my Suburb.