Residents and businesses in Victoria’s City of Port Phillip Council area can have a heavily discounted quality solar power system installed under a new initiative.
A group of local residents supported by Council are the driving force behind the solar bulk buy program that aims to add 300 solar panel systems within the area.
If the group is able to reach their goal, they will receive 10-15 additional systems to be donated for use on community buildings.
According to Energy Matters, a good quality 5kW solar power system installed within the City can return a financial benefit of $1,114 – $1,762 a year; depending on installation location and power consumption profile.
Even though solar represents a solid investment in this area, many households are yet to take advantage of the power bill-busting technology.
” Only 1 in 100 households in the City of Port Phillip currently has solar panels installed, yet across Australia the rate is closer to 1 in 7″, said the project’s leader, Steve Nelson.
One of the reasons behind this may be to do with 75% of households in the City of Port Phillip being in a Heritage Overlay area; which may have discouraged some from going solar.
However, solar panels can be installed on many of these homes – and without the need for a permit. Only houses where the panels would face or be visible from the street need to apply for a permit, which is free.
Energy Matters’ parent company, SunEdison Australia, will be supplying and installing systems ordered under the bulk buy discount program. SunEdison, the world’s largest renewable energy developer, is participating in similar and hugely popular programs throughout Australia.
Those wishing to register interest in participating in the solar bulk buy can send their details through to enviro@portphillip.vic.gov.au or call Brett Hedger at Council on 9209 6780.
The City Of Port Phillip is on the northern shore of Port Phillip Bay, south of the Melbourne Central Business District. It includes all or some of the suburbs of Port Melbourne, South Melbourne, Melbourne, Middle Park, St Kilda, St Kilda West, St Kilda East, Balaclava, Ripponlea and Elwood. The City is home to a population of 91,372 (2011 Census).
Image credit: EnviroeHub/City Of Port Phillip
