We all know the benefits that are involved with turning to solar power instead of using limited resources to support our energy needs. Solar power is an abundant and renewable source of power that can help keep our towns and cities running for longer. However, we need to find the space and solutions required to install solar power grids if we want to make the most out of the potential that the sun's rays have.

The good news is that according to a recent press release, Australia's first farm for floating solar will soon be brought into the city of Lismore, to help promote local access to sustainable energy. The farm will be designed carefully so that it can float atop an overflow pond beside the Sewage Treatment Plant in East Lismore. The electricity generated by the water-bound panels will partially power the plant.

A Community Effort Towards Sustainability

There's plenty to learn from this new development in the Lismore community. First, we've established that you don't necessarily need land mass to install solar panels into a city. Secondly, we've discovered that community and collaboration is key to success as we move towards a world that's less reliant on fossil fuels.

The new project is a joint effort that was established by investors, the community, and the Lismore city council. This highlights that when people work together, they can promote a better future for their community. For instance, Enerven is a part of SA Power Networks Group and a huge contributor to local solutions for sustainable energy. With community support, groups like this can transform the world we live in.

The new solar farm should be able to produce around 180,000 kilowatts of energy per year, using a 100-kilowatt system. This means that the field should account for about 12% of the energy needs of the plant. In the future, the environmental strategies officer for the local council, Sharyn Hunnisett announced that a potential expansion could help them to generate the full site's electricity in the future.

Saving Money and Energy

The buoyant solar farm should help to save the council a significant amount of money while helping them to reach their renewable energy targets. Additionally, the cooling nature of the water might help the panels to last for longer and perform better too.

Importantly, according to Geoff Fussell, the chief project officer, the 280 floating panels will be able to withstand the impact of floods throughout the region. While the island of panels will float on level with the water, it also allows for up to 12 metres worth of height expansion when presented with heavy rains. This means that the panels will continue to perform just as well, regardless of extreme weather conditions.

Additionally, walkways will be installed around and through the floating island to make sure that maintenance workers can effectively keep the panels clean. For safety reasons, two maintenance workers will be assigned to the island at a time.

Ultimately, the solar farm is just one of the many measures that will be installed within the council's renewable energy master plan, which allows them to achieve the goal of self-generated electricity from renewable sources by the end of 2023. This helps to draw focus to the fact that Australia is now taking stronger strides towards a future where sustainable energy can become a reliable and effective strategy for success.