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Solar system lights up desert town

Solar system lights up desert town 9 News by Tara Ravens 18 Feb 09

The largest solar power system ever mounted on a building in the southern hemisphere has been switched on in the red heart of Australia.

The rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) installation is expected to generate 40 and 80 per cent of the energy requirements of the Crowne Plaza hotel in Alice Springs.

Speaking from the desert town on Wednesday, hotel general manager Adam Glass said the system would help the Crowne Plaza reduce its annual carbon footprint by 420 tonnes of carbon dioxide

The solar power system would generate enough electricity to serve 60 family homes.

“The water and energy savings that will result from our plans are staggering,” said Mr Glass.

“We are located in one of the hottest parts of the country…

“This means on one hand that we are a large consumer of energy, but on the other, we have access to a ready renewable resource to significantly offset that consumption.”………………….

The solar system is accompanied by a $50,000 in-house energy efficiency program, including a system that regulates the heating and cooling of rooms.

“The system is smart enough to detect a room is occupied, even when a guest is sleeping,” said Mr Berger.

Solar system lights up desert town

February 19, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized