A Noosaville charity has installed 111 solar panels to bring more solar to the Noosa solar energy community.
Noosa News reports that Waves of Kindness decided on a solar installation to reduce both its carbon footprint and its energy bills.
The Queensland charity’s work includes a school breakfast club and assistance for the homeless and for victims of domestic violence.
The savings generated will be directed towards those in need of assistance within the local community.
General manager Peter Damiris said the solar initiative will allow the money saved to go directly to where it’s needed.
He also expects the installation to have paid for itself within two and a half years.
Support programs enable NFPs to reduce electricity costs
High electricity costs means that a not-for-profit’s (NFP) precious funds must go to energy bills. A solar installation can help mitigate this by reducing costs.
This in turn enables the organisation to direct its funds more in line with its purpose — just as Waves of Kindness did here with their commitment to Noosa solar energy.
There are also support mechanisms in place for NFP groups that want to investigate going solar.
The Community Power Hub, for example, is a state-backed program in Victoria that provides support for community energy projects.
This includes assisting NFPs and community organisations to investigate, coordinate and implement community energy programs.
Government funding may also be available for eligible groups and charities. Recently, the federal government Solar Communities Program allocated grants of up to $12,500 for eligible organisations in regional areas, to assist with the purchase and installation of solar power and battery storage.
Solar bulk-buy programs make installing solar cheaper
Several councils are also reducing the cost of solar installations that could assist community groups, charities and individuals.
For example, last year Strathbogie Shire Council partnered with the NFP Yarra Energy Foundation to create ‘Bogie Bulk Buy’. This program assists people in the community to install rooftop solar and save money on their bills.
Energy Matters maintains a directory of solar bulk-buy and other initiatives that assist individuals and organisations to install rooftop solar, in turn making it easier for them to save money on the cost of their electricity use.
