Sunshine Solar - Christchurch City Council: Matatiki Hornby Centre Embraces Solar Power
John Wilson, August 20, 2024
The Matatiki Hornby Centre, a vital community hub in Christchurch, recently partnered with Sunshine Solar to revolutionize its energy consumption and reduce its carbon footprint.
This case study explores the solar installation process, its impact, and the benefits realized by the Centre and the wider community.
Project Overview:
Location: Hornby, Christchurch, New Zealand
Installation: 282kW solar power system
Number of Panels: 640 high-efficiency 440W panels
Inverter: 2 x 110kW three-phase Goodwe Inverters
Challenge:
The Matatiki Hornby Centre, serving as a multipurpose facility for various community activities, faced escalating energy costs due to its extensive operating hours and diverse power needs. The center sought a sustainable solution to reduce expenses while aligning with its commitment to environmental stewardship.
Social Good:
As part of our social procurement commitment to the community, we pledged to contribute $2,500 in charitable funding through our commitment as an Upstream Supplier.
Directly across the road, three youth workers from Youth Southwest Christchurch Trust & CDN Trust support young people at Hornby High School. The funds generated from our Upstream commitment and winning this tender will provide the equivalent income needed to fund 10 weeks (or 100 hours) of a youth worker at the school.
These youth workers are vital, offering much-needed support and becoming the heartbeat of the school.
Solution:
Sunshine Solar designed and installed a custom 282kW solar power system, strategically placing 640 high-efficiency panels across the center's expansive roof. The system was carefully engineered to maximize energy production while maintaining the aesthetic appeal of the building.
Implementation:
The installation process was completed over two weeks, with minimal disruption to the center's daily operations. Our team worked closely with the center's management to ensure safety and efficiency throughout the installation.
Energy Cost Reduction: The center has seen a 60% decrease in its annual energy bills.
Community Education: The visible solar installation serves as an educational tool for visitors, promoting renewable energy awareness.
Energy Independence: During peak sunlight hours, the center operates almost entirely on solar power.
The Matatiki Hornby Centre's solar initiative not only demonstrates significant cost savings but also sets a powerful example of sustainable practices for the community it serves. This successful implementation showcases the potential for large community facilities to lead in adopting clean energy solutions.
Check out more here:
