The Bendigo Sustainability Group (BSG) has set up a fundraising campaign for a community solar project to install 100 rooftop solar panels on eight local social housing units.
Once the solar installation is complete, the units’ tenants should save around $300 a year on power bills.
So far, BSG has raised a bit over half of the funds needed. A spokesperson said if the target is not achieved a smaller project may have to be installed.
BSG will manage the solar energy system for ten years. This includes monitoring, reporting, insurance, maintenance, and warranty oversight.
The $1,760 benefit to BSG for managing the project will enable it to establish more projects in the region.
Power and accommodation – the two biggest costs
In a Bendigo Advertiser report, Community Housing Victoria’s services manager Malcolm Douglas said accommodation and energy are “the two biggest costs” for most people.
He also said other similar community projects in Victoria have helped many social housing residents achieve greater financial independence.
He anticipates this project will have the same effect and benefit the environment at the same time.
Community solar project is one of many
BSG began in 2007 with the aim of building sustainable solutions within the local community. This is not the first community solar project initiated by the group. Others include:
- Fundraising for a 30 kW solar power system for the Bendigo Archive Centre in 2017.
- Project management of a 50 kW system in 2017 for the Bendigo Tramways Depot.
- Crowdfunding for an 11 kW system for the Bendigo Discovery Centre in 2016.
- Crowdfunding for a 20 kW system in 2016 for the Bendigo Library.
- Goldfields Solar Hub Bulk Buy – a bulk buy program which resulted in 20 MW of solar panels being installed on over 600 homes.
Community solar helps renters & low-income earners
BSG isn’t the only group of its kind in Australia. Numerous other community solar groups and council schemes provide similar services and assistance – such as solar panel bulk-buy programs and interest-free loans to residents for solar installations.
Renters’ programs are also popping up in various places. These enable renters as well as property owners to benefit from the lower electricity costs and cleaner energy sources provided by rooftop solar systems.
