In January 2024, Golf Ireland strengthened its commitment to sustainability by installing a new Solar Photovoltaic System at the governing body’s headquarters in Maynooth, and already the new phase of 30kw Solar PV system on the roof of Golf Ireland HQ is beginning to show it’s worth.
In the month of June, the photovoltaic array generated 115% of the electricity demand for that same month when compared with 2022 and 2023 consumption numbers. Further data is still being collected, but if the Year-To-Date (YTD) results are extrapolated for a full calendar year, the positive return of the installation is evident.
It is estimated that the new solar panels will generate circa 55% of the electricity required on site, and in doing so this will reduce Golf Ireland’s carbon footprint by an astonishing 8.6 tonnes of CO2E per annum.
In simpler terms, when the YTD figures are extrapolated across a 12-month period, the solar panel system will reduce the overall on-site carbon footprint, in this case gas and electricity, by a phenomenal 25%.
Decarbonisation consultant Jim Young has been working closely with Golf Ireland to monitor and analyse the data, and he believes the move to the new solar panel system for the organization is already proving to be a step in the right direction.
“The Solar Panel (photovoltaic) install at Golf Ireland’s headquarters has been an unqualified success from a decarbonisation perspective and is already on track to reduce on-site emissions by 25%. This is a great leap forward in achieving Golf Ireland’s ambitious sustainability targets – further demonstrating how Golf Ireland is providing both an example and concrete guidance to golf clubs across the country in their own sustainability efforts.”
Golf Ireland’s Head of Sustainability Ann Courtney echoed this sentiment and is looking forward to seeing those aforementioned benefits increase over time.
“Golf Ireland are delighted to have partnered with Flogas our energy partner on this project and the data shows the real and tangible impact on the environment as a result of installing these solar panels. We look forward to supporting and assisting our 379 affiliated clubs on their sustainability journey.”
The solar panel installation at Golf Ireland HQ is just one element of the governing body’s sustainability plan, ‘Drive The Green’, which was launched at the AGM earlier this year.
To learn more about this ambitious plan that includes targets for 2030 and 2050, click here.