Shear Outback facility immediately benefits from solar panel installation
Shear Outback facility.
The Shear Outback facility located in Hay, no longer needs to pay electricity bills thanks to the installation of solar panels, funded via Create NSW’s Regional Cultural Fund.
Shear Outback is an award-winning tourist and educational attraction with experiences including The Australian Shearers’ Hall of Fame, the Shear Outback Exhibition, the historic Murray Downs Woolshed, a Special Exhibition Gallery, a retail shop and a café.
The funding provided through the Regional Cultural Fund has enabled the installation of solar power panels, which has already resulted in a reduction of operating costs, ensuring that the museum and its café remain financially sustainable. The cost savings from the new solar panels have also included credits for the past two months as a result of the extra power generated from the solar panels.
“The solar panels should cut the facility’s energy costs by approximately $15,000 annually”, said Kathy Finn, Administration Manager of the Shear Outback facility.
“The money saved will be directed into the maintenance of the complex which is always an ongoing cost. We have already experienced zero electricity bills and it is wonderful not having to pay them anymore!”
Shear Outback facility Solar Panel Project.
The Regional Cultural Fund is administered by Create NSW and was established by the NSW Government to support the development of cultural infrastructure in regional NSW to enable exciting and diverse arts and cultural activities in rural communities. Through the investment of $100 million, the Regional Cultural Fund aims to strengthen regional arts, screen, culture and heritage for the benefit of rural communities.
At the Shear Outback facility, visitors can meet the shearers, shedhands, sheep and dogs who work in the shearing and wool industries. The experience is both educational and entertaining. Visitors can also experience the energy and training needed to shear a sheep and take part in live shearing demonstrations several times daily. The facility is located at the corner of Sturt & Cobb Highways, Hay NSW.
For further information visit http://www.shearoutback.com.au.
Images: 1 – Shear Outback facility, 2 – Shear Outback facility Solar Panel Project.
Published: 4 February 2020