Monday 1 July 2013

Island keen to embrace solar power

www.portnews.com.au
13 May 2013

WORLD Heritage listed Lord Howe Island is starting its transformation from a dependence on diesel generators to sustainable solar power with help from Wauchope Solar. The connections between the Hastings Valley and Lord Howe Island continue to grow. This began with direct flights and the supply ship, Island Trader, now operates between Port Macquarie and Lord Howe Island.

Port Macquarie's commercial wharf was officially opened in November 2009 and the business community of Port Macquarie has been encouraged to develop trading links with businesses on the island. Wauchope Solar has done exactly that and is now on its third trip to the island for the next round of solar power installations.

The Lord Howe Island Board has been developing a plan with the help of CSIRO National Solar Energy Centre in Newcastle to minimise diesel consumption helping to make Lord Howe Island a showcase in environmental sustainability.

Wauchope Solar founder Stuart Watson said he had a great affinity with Lord Howe Island and had been impressing on the locals and the Lord Howe Island Board the benefits of renewable power on the island for the past 15 years.

"Now this dream is becoming a reality as the islanders embrace the opportunity to power their homes with solar", Mr Watson said. Mr Watson hopes the Lord Howe Island example will inspire the mainland. He has been a long time supporter and proponent of the benefits of solar power and considers the future of solar generation to be huge.

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