Exploring energy will be the focus of the many activities taking place at the Western Australian Museum – Geraldton for National Science Week this August.
WA Museum – Geraldton Regional Manager Catherine Belcher said the first event in the lead up to National Science Week will be a public lecture on the Greenough River Solar Farm on Thursday 2 August at 7pm.
“This year is the United Nations International ‘Year of Sustainable Energy for All’, so a talk on the Greenough River Solar Farm - Australia’s first photovoltaic utility scale solar farm - is a great way to start the Museum’s National Science Week activities,” Ms Belcher said.
The $50million, 10 megawatt solar farm near Geraldton will use the latest solar technology to displace 25,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year - the equivalent of taking 5,000 cars off the road.
In the lecture, First Solar’s Rob Bartop will give an overview of the project, its technology, the potential for more photovoltaic utility scaled solar farms in Australia, and the logistics involved in setting up a project of this scale in the Mid-West region.
Entry to the public lectures is by gold coin donation and bookings are essential on 9921 5080.
Other upcoming WA Museum – Geraldton events for National Science Week include a public lecture on energy farming, ‘science sandwich sessions’ from August 13 – 17, and an adults-only wine and cheese ‘Scinema’ night exploring the themes of energy and sex on Monday 13 August.
For further details on the WA Museum – Geraldton’s full National Science Week program keep an eye on the WA Museum website: museum.wa.gov.au/museums/geraldton/whats-on
Niki Comparti, Western Australian Museum, 6552 7805, niki.comparti@museum.wa.gov.au
