Lismore first to see light
LISMORE City Council stepped into history yesterday installing a new hybrid solar and wind-powered streetlight at City Hall, the first of its design in Australia.
The streetlight, which includes a 400W, 1.3m wind turbine, two 80W photovoltaic (solar) panels and an LED light and requires no grid connection to operate, literally spun into action yesterday afternoon.
The launch timing was perfect, with the warm, sunny day and slight winds the ideal conditions for its first run.
Lismore councillor Gianpiero Battista, an avid supporter of the project over the past year, said he was delighted to see the solar and wind-powered streetlight at last erected and in action.
"For me this street light says so much about what this community values in terms of sustainability principles and it also says we are prepared to be innovative in looking at new technology and trialling it in our city," said Cr Battista.
The council became the first local government in Australia to trial this kind of installation after an agreement was made with Australia United Energy.
Australia United Energy managing director Chien-Hsing "Johnson" Chen, from Taiwan, was delighted to be at the installation yesterday and said he was planning to enter the innovative installation in the Australian Marketing Institute Awards in the Green Marketing category.
The council's co-ordinator of Environment and Sustainability, Nick Stephens, said he was excited to see all the plans for this new venture finally culminate in a physical structure.
"It's a coup for this council to be given the opportunity to be the first area in Australia to trial this technology," he said.
The streetlight now stands on the City Hall grounds on the corner of Molesworth St and the Bruxner Hwy.
Council will monitor performance over six months through a USB outlet, which provides summary data.
