The Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC) has signed a local government solar energy agreement that will provide councils with fixed-price solar power from Moree Solar Farm for ten years.
Under the new solar deal in Sydney, eighteen councils are on board: Parramatta, Inner West, Bayside, Campbelltown, Canada Bay, Canterbury-Bankstown, Georges River, Hunters Hill, Ku-Ring Gai, Liverpool, North Sydney, Randwick, Ryde, Singleton, Sutherland Shire, Waverley, Willoughby and Woollahra.
The new agreement was made via a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The PPA allows the participating councils to buy solar power at a fixed price.
Origin supplements local government solar energy
This would supply up to 35 per cent of their energy requirements. Origin Energy would then kick in with the rest of their power needs through the electricity grid.
The plan potentially provides multiple benefits for NSW. This includes energy bill cost savings and emissions reductions for participating councils, and a boost for the renewable energy industry.
The agreement also forms part of SSROC’s Renewable Energy Master Plan. Under the plan, the SSROC recommends vetted installers and products and provides free advice on solar installations to residents, community organisations and small businesses.
Councils and community groups making it easier to go solar
However, the SSROC is not the only council organisation offering these services to residents. Several councils and community organisations provide solar energy advice and access to vetted products and installers. Some also offer solar bulk-buy programs that reduce the cost of residential solar installations.
There are also some councils offering interest-free loans that allow residents to pay off their rooftop solar panels. The Solar Savers program through Darebin council in Victoria, for example, allows residents to repay a solar installation over ten years . Repayment is made through their rates.
State government giving solar support
In addition, some state governments have programs in place for people wishing to go solar. For example, the Queensland government offers interest-free loans for solar installations while the Victorian government is providing subsidies through the Solar Homes program.
Programs such as these make the transition to solar energy more cost-effective for local households, community organisations, schools and businesses.
Energy Matters provides a directory of councils and community groups offering these types of services, including solar bulk-buy, interest-free loans and solar installation advice.
Taking part in one of these programs could lead to saving money on your electricity bills.
