One of the Club’s sustainability missions is dedicated to support the development of renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions. The latest news on this subject is that the Club has now committed to the installation of solar panels, bringing the Club closer to its sustainability target!
The idea of having solar panels at the Club was first raised in 2019 and since then there have been many discussions and technical analyses carried out around the selection of possible locations and solar panel technology.
Thanks to the time and effort devoted by members and staff sitting on the Projects & Facilities, Kellett Island and Sustainability Sub-Committees, several tender processes were conducted in 2021 and in February this year, the Club appointed a contractor. At the time of writing, construction was due to start late March subject to the approval of the Feed-in Tariff application by Hong Kong Electric. The installation is scheduled to be completed this summer.
In total, 92 pieces of solar panels will be installed at four general sites covering an area of roughly 204 square metres. The solar system is expected to produce over 36,800 kWh, which is equivalent to about 26 tonnes of reduction of carbon emission.
Feed-in Tariff Scheme
For those who may not aware, The Feed-in Tariff (FiT) Scheme is an important new initiative to promote the development of renewable energy (RE) under the current Scheme of Control Agreements (SCAs), which were signed between the Government and the respective two power companies in April 2017. Under the scheme, people who install solar photovoltaic (PV) or wind systems at their premises can sell the RE they generate to the power companies at a rate as high as about five times more than the normal electricity tariff rate.
The idea is to promote renewable energy by helping the private sector to recover the costs of their investment in the Renewable Energy systems. Subject to the volume produced, the private sector can receive HK$3, HK$4, or HK$5 per kW uploaded to power grid before the scheme end in 2033. Once the solar panels are up and running, the Club will not just reducing its carbon footprint, we may also generate additional funding to support the Club’s operation as well as other sustainability initiatives.