The Victorian Government is funding Geelong solar installations to bring cheaper electricity to the city’s Multicultural Aged Care Centre Services (MACS).
MACS residents will soon have access to cheaper energy thanks to a 520-panel solar project funded by the state government.
Minister for Energy Lily D’Ambrosio and Geelong MP Christine Couzens opened the project last month.
Geelong solar installations a state/community partnership
The Labor Government provided $188,000 to the Geelong Sustainability Group for the project. In addition the local community raised $150,000.
“This project highlights the potential for community-owned solar to help drive Victoria’s transition to renewable energy,” D’Ambrosio said.
Climate Safe rooms combat seasonal extremes
She also announced that the Geelong Sustainability Group will receive $300,000 for its Climate Safe Rooms project.
This initiative will provide 20 vulnerable households in the Geelong area with energy-efficiency upgrades to make their homes comfortable during the temperature extremes of summer and winter.
The rooms will be fully insulated and draught-proofed with high efficiency air-conditioning. A small solar system to offset running costs.
Geelong Sustainability Group will work with the City of Greater Geelong, Kildonan Uniting Care and EcoMaster to create the safe havens in the homes of people most at risk of serious illness or death from climate extremes.
The City of Greater Geelong’s Community Care department will identify 20 of the most vulnerable households. These will receive the free home energy audit and retrofit package.
Geelong – a solar powered city in the making
The Geelong solar installations at MACS are not the only projects underway in the city. In January 2018, the City of Greater Geelong also installed 300 solar panels at its Leisurelink Aquatic Centre. This followed a solar installation at The Grove Community Centre in Ocean Grove in late 2017.
Other community buildings including Bellarine Aquatic and Sports Centre, The Arena and the National Wool Museum. These will also make up part of the installation program in 2018.
There are currently a number of projects in the City involving solar installations. In fact, when construction is complete, Geelong will have 661 kW of solar energy installed at its facilities.
In addition, Geelong Sustainability has teamed up with solar power broker ShineHub to deliver the Geelong Community Solar Program across the Geelong region. The program aims to: “Negotiate deep group discounts from product suppliers and local solar companies to ensure you get the best possible deal.”
To find out more about Geelong’s potential for solar energy contact us on 133 786. You can also read more about the city’s solar potential on our Geelong Solar Power resource page.
