Atherton Tablelands Pistol Club sold on solar panels

Dimbulah Sport and Pistol club, located west of Cairns and Mareeba are reaping the rewards from installing solar panels.

The clubs weapons safety training officer Phil Quayle and the club’s last foundation member are pleased that the community club is taking steps towards a more sustainable future.

Thanks to the Queensland State Governments Gambling Community Benefits Fund grant, the club was awarded $7500 to install eight 190 watt solar panels and a grid connect inverter.  Since the installation, the club has earned money from selling power back to Ergon.

The solar panels have put the clubs energy bill in credit between 17th November 2011 and 15th February 2012.

“Small community clubs are usually always putting out money so we are really rapt with this,” Mr Quayle said.

“We run on a very slim budget so anything like this is good news for our club.” Shooter and member Gaye Taylor said the club was on a “membership drive” with about 10 active members.

She said former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was a patron of Pistol Shooting Queensland and was a shotgun shooter.

“A lot of people don’t know that,” Ms Taylor said. “This facility we have here is an Olympic discipline.

“We’d like to see some young people join.”

If your a part of a not for profit organisation, or you would like to find out more about the Queensland Government Solar grant, click here.

by Australian Solar Quotes

The Author

Darryn Van Hout

I developed an interest in the Australian energy and construction sectors more than a decade ago and have since closely followed the trends, technologies and developments shaping both industries. My involvement in the Australian solar market began in 2008, and over the years I have built strong connections with professionals, businesses and organisations across the construction, solar and renewable energy sectors in Australia and internationally. These connections include solar panel and inverter manufacturers, electrical and construction industry professionals, software developers creating tools to quote, monitor and manage solar power systems, and media organisations that closely follow developments across energy, construction and renewable technologies. Today, I continue to contribute as an industry advocate, author and commentator, sharing practical insights and information to help Australian consumers and businesses better understand solar power, energy technologies, construction-related developments and the changing Australian energy landscape.