The installation of 123 solar panels at the Highfields Pioneer Village in 2020 helped the local nonprofit offset the costs of coronavirus and invest into maintaining and expanding the village in other areas.

The electricity required to power the 70 historical buildings on the 20 acre property is one of the largest costs the nonprofit faced.

“Our electricity bill was a whopping $5,000 per quarter. Because of the high costs of electricity, it put the Village in an awkward position during the Coronavirus outbreak,” said Ray Ashford OAM, Volunteer Manager.

“We had to shut our gates from March to July last year and the bills were still coming in, and with no gate takings we were in dire straits.”

A Community Grant from Heritage Bank Highfields and Crows Nest Community, via the Progressive Community Crows Nest Ltd (PCCN Ltd), offered the Village hope for the future.

The grant provided the Village with the funds to install a 40kw solar system on one of the larger buildings on the property, which houses the Queensland Energy Museum.

The 40KW solar system’s 325 Twin Peak 2 panels are designed and warranted for 25 years, ensuring long term savings, backed by a Delta inverter with a 15 year warranty.