The Green Hostel
Newly "Solar" Alice Springs YHA Burns The Sun
Certain colours have long been associated with Alice Springs, red for desert, red for sand and red for the McDonald Ranges that hug the entire town. Now one hostel is adding green to the palate.
Alice Springs YHA has launched its solar powered carbon reduction initiative after successfully winning a grant from the Federal Government’s Solar City project and with funding from the YHA Hostel Carbon Reduction program. This program allows YHA members and guests to contribute a dollar per booking when using the Associations’ website, yha.com.au, to book accommodation. Funds raised are dedicated to sustainability projects at hostels which reduce the carbon footprint generated.
The project came about as a result of good timing. “The Alice Solar City program in the Northern Territory was looking for good projects to use solar power, and the YHA was ready to match the commitment dollar for dollar,” said hostel Manager Roger Wileman.
“There is a fair amount of panels on the roof now –the system is a 10.64 kilowatt grid tie system that has 56 190 watt modules,”
The project which launched on December 21st 2011 will allow travellers to watch the output of the solar panels on a display in the hostel’s reception.
“I think particularity that young travellers today are more environmentally conscious, and I expect the project will appeal to them. We will also have a wireless link to the environmental panel where you will be able to see how much energy use we are saving,” said Wileman.
YHA Ltd CEO, Julian Ledger, is very pleased about the launch.
“For over 5 years YHA has consistently pursued and implemented our sustainability strategy, which an important part of our mission step to reduce our carbon footprint,” he said.
“We developed the Hostel Carbon Reduction program as a balance to our economic, social and ecological activities,”
In assessing the submissions the Australian and Territory Governments took into account the economical, ecological and social aspects of the sustainable achievements into equal consideration.
And with the sun shining almost every day of the year the panels will no doubt buff away the footprints of many adventurous of travellers as they explore the newly green, red centre.
