In stormy weather or melting days, a marine rescue operation cannot remain powerless. A solar system keeps the lights on and communication is clear.
April 19, 2021
Last week, Marine Rescue Narooma powered a 6.3 kW solar PV array and associated 6.3 kWh battery, funded through the efforts of the Southcoast Health and Sustainability Alliance (SHASA) volunteer organization were.
The system is designed to add to and expand the existing emergency power supply of the essential rescue organization, which provides power for wireless communication and maintains the lighting in the building during a power failure.
Marine Rescue Narooma is part of a network of coast guards who respond to ships in distress. looks for missing boats; operates the Marine Rescue App, which provides weather warnings and a logging system for ships entering and returning to port; and trains volunteers with the skills and knowledge necessary to save lives on the water.
The Narooma crew works in the old pilot house overlooking Narooma Inlet and Bar – one of the toughest on the east coast – and operates the NA30 rescue ship and two other rescue vessels, as well as the latest radio communications technology.
The Marine Rescue Narooma ship NA30 relies on constant communication in its work.
Image: Marine Rescue Narooma
The rooftop installation is the third solar PV project in Narooma and the eleventh in the county to be supported by SHASA, which works in partnership with Micro Energy Systems Australia (MESA), a Clean Energy Council accredited solar installer, Eurobodalla Solar Bulk Buy -Opportunity operates and retailer specializing in providing solar panels suitable for the community's coastal environment.
SHASA for Prime Minister!
SHASA Chair Kathryn Maxwell says the organization is “determined to support the transition to renewable energy.” The aim is to supply the Eurobodalla coast with 100% renewable energies by 2030.
SHASA's recently updated strategic plan includes: Research and support in the development of solar parks, microgrids and battery storage in the community; Educating home and business owners about the benefits of energy efficiency measures; Promotion of electric vehicles and e-bikes to reduce traffic emissions; and support for subsidized low-income access to solar energy.
SHASA also applies for grants for community organizations as part of various programs to finance solar systems. In the case of Marine RescueNarooma, SHASA was successfully applied for for the Community Energy Efficiency and Solar Grants 2020 from the federal government.
Although planned for 2020, the project stalled when the roof of the pilot house was made of corrugated asbestos sheet that had to be replaced before the solar panels could be installed.
Help the underfunded benefit from solar savings
In cases where an organization has limited resources and grants only partially cover the cost of a project, SHASA and MESA have pooled their resources to cover the deficit.
In 2019 it is contributed more than $ 5,000 towards the cost of 18 solar panels and an inverter that helped the local United Church better support the approximately 80 people who attend their weekly community dinner at the church hall known as Monty's Place. The solar system has saved more than $ 2,000 a year in utility bills for the nonprofit “event,” which serves good food in a good company atmosphere to those in need, and that savings can easily be used to support the provision of services such as legal aid and Anglicare.
Other solar systems that SHASA has successfully put into operation since it opened in 2014 are a 12.82 kW PV system for the Surf Life Saving Club Batemans Bay in Malua Bay and a 9.45 kW system for the Narooma Men's Shed.
In a press release to celebrate the installation of Marine Rescue, Maxwell asks, “Can community volunteer groups make a difference?” She already knows the answer: “You definitely can.”
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