In 2016 Footscray Community Arts, with the support of donors and local partners, invested in 40 kilowatts of solar panels, a Tesla Powerwall Battery System and energy-efficient LED lights to the centre’s Roslyn Smorgon Gallery, Performance Space and reception area to reduce our carbon footprint.
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We are proud to report that the sustainability campaign, dubbed ‘Turn the Lights On’ has reduced our carbon footprint by 100 tonnes of CO2 emissions — the equivalent of planting close to 2500 trees — saving us more than $20,000 in utilities costs since installation.
The move toward renewable resources has made Footscray Community Arts a net exporter of solar energy over the sunnier months of the year. In the first quarter of 2020 alone, Footscray Community Arts returned 8333kWh to the grid — that’s the equivalent of powering a family home for 203 days!
The ‘Turn the Lights On’ campaign will have an enduring legacy of environmental and financial impact on the centre for years to come. A warm thank you to all the friends of Footscray Community Arts who donated, including major supporters Creative Partnerships Australia, The People’s Solar and the Aesop Foundation.
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1 – Solar panel installation, 2016.