Located in Gomeroi Gamilaraay country in remote northwest New South Wales, the Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service (WAMS) will be able to hire an extra nurse with the savings from its energy bills after installing rooftop solar. The installation of the solar panels, completed in June, will save the medical service more than $50,600 per annum – meaning the system will have paid for itself in less than five years.

The solar systems were installed by Planet Ark’s partner and solar engineering and technology company, Planet Ark Power. As a result, the medical service is no longer reliant on coal-fired power from the electricity grid, leading to a reduction in carbon emissions of more than 100 tonnes per annum. Over the lifespan of the solar panels, the medical service will prevent approximately 2,500 tonnes of carbon from entering the atmosphere – the equivalent of taking 1,000 cars off the road for a whole year.

WAMS Finance Manager, Mathew Baker, said the 143kW solar systems are expected to save the medical service more than $1.25M over the next 25 years.

“WAMS provides a wide range of medical services, GP, and specialist health services to the Walgett community as well as to surrounding areas, so these savings can go straight back into improving our service delivery. It will allow us to put on another nursing staff member,” said Mr Baker.

This is only the first stage of the medical service’s renewable energy plans, with battery storage, more solar, and Planet Ark Power’s eleXsys energy management system under consideration. Subject to approvals, the installation of eleXsys on-site will enable the medical service to export surplus energy from their system into the electricity grid, creating an extra income stream and further improving the overall viability of the project. eleXsys will also help stabilise the grid – an important benefit to communities like Walgett where electricity can be unreliable. 

The project was made possible by local not-for-profit renewable energy organisation, Geni.Energy, which helps communities in the northwest region of New South Wales access renewable energy. 

Planet Ark Power’s Executive Director, Richard Romanowski, said he was particularly proud to have partnered with Geni.Energy to have achieved a fantastic outcome for the Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service. 

“We look forward to continuing working with WAMS and contributing to their sustainability journey,” said Mr Romanowski.