The very successful MASH2 community solar bulk buy program is expanding and will be launching in Macedon Ranges Shire in Victoria on Wednesday, offering residents the opportunity to install solar at discounted prices.
Castlemaine-based non profit group Hub Foundation is behind the MASH2 program, which has seen more than 300 households in Mt. Alexander Shire installing solar panels in the past year. Collectively, those systems are saving their owners approximately $200,000 on electricity bills annually and will avoid more than 1,500 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year.
MASH2 has received strong support from Macedon Ranges Mayor, Jennifer Anderson.
“MASH2 is a sure winner for residents of Macedon Ranges; providing savings on energy bills, returns to the community, and a reduction in greenhouse emissions”, says Cr Anderson. “Given its success in neighbouring Mount Alexander Shire, I encourage residents to participate.”
Solar power systems under the MASH2 initiative will be supplied by Energy Matters’ parent company, SunEdison; the world’s largest renewable energy developer. In addition to Macedon Ranges and Mt. Alexander shires, SunEdison has been involved with similar solar panel bulk-buy programs in other parts of Australia.
Jo Kaptein, Project Officer at the Hub Foundation, says 18% of homes in Macedon Ranges have installed solar PV so far and the Hub Foundation hopes to increase this to close to 20% in the next 6 months through the MASH2 initiative.
There will be an additional benefit for the Macedon Ranges community from the program – a free 2kW solar panel system will be installed on a community building in Kyneton once 50 installations have been completed.
Macedon Ranges Shire MASH2 free community information meetings will be held at 5.00-6.30pm and 7.00-8.30pm on Wednesday 21 October at the Kyneton Mechanics Institute. Interested residents can register for the sessions at mash.org.au or by calling 0455 589 065.
The meetings will discuss features of the systems on offer; pricing, payback and potential electricity bill savings, plus information on battery storage opportunities for MASH2 customers. The meetings will also incorporate Q&A time with the Hub Foundation team and MASH2 solar installers.
