Hepburn Shire is launching a solar bulk-buy scheme for homes and businesses with the aim of being 100 per cent carbon neutral by 2025.
Five information sessions held during April will give local residents and firms more information about the community solar and battery bulk-buy initiative in the central Victorian shire.
Not-for profit group More Australian Solar Homes (MASH) is behind the Castlemaine-based push to make rooftop solar installation and solar storage batteries cheaper and more accessible.
Because the scheme involves bulk buying, customers can pay discounted prices for respected solar power system brands.
The information sessions will give an overview of solar panels along with commercial and home battery systems available for purchase. They will subsequently reduce the confusion surrounding available options.
Solar bulk-buy scheme spreading the solar message
The scheme is part of Hepburn Shire’s TAKE2 initiative. This aims to make the shire carbon neutral by increasing the number of homes and businesses with solar power installations.
According to The Hub Foundation (THF) Executive Officer and MASH founder Jo Kaptein, 19 per cent of Hepburn Shire homes now have a solar power system.
Another 200 rooftop solar installations will expand the figure to 22 per cent in 2018.
If achieved, the group could therefore donate $20,000 in free solar to community groups. It would also slash carbon emissions by 1,100 tonnes annually which is equal to 230 fewer cars on the road each year.
According to Hepburn Shire Mayor John Cottrell, the solar bulk-buy scheme will give local people and firms access to high quality solar and battery systems.
This will also offer local jobs along with great value for money, he says. Meanwhile, CEC Accredited solar installers should contact THF if they wish to participate.
The growth of solar power in regional Victoria
MASH started life in Castlemaine in September 2014. Founder Jo Kaptein saw a greater role for solar energy in homes and businesses across regional Victoria.
MASH originally stood for ‘Mount Alexander Solar Homes’. Because it grew to also include Great Bendigo and Macedon Ranges Shire, however, it was renamed ‘More Australian Solar Homes’.
MASH has subsequently helped install just under 900 solar panel systems in homes, businesses and schools.
