In May, 2015, a Eurobodalla Shire community group announced its ambition to provide affordable solar power for as many homeowners and businesses as possible.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Today, the South Coast Health and Sustainability Alliance (SHASA) is ready for its third bulk-purchase of solar power systems.
It’s a success story for people-power against rising electricity bills.
By banding together, the group has brought the cost of panels, inverters and other equipment down.
That the group has chosen a Bodalla supplier to install more than 80 systems during phases one and two of the community project – and even more in stage three – is even better.
The picture at left shows panels being installed at Tomakin, thanks to the bulk-buy program.
This project began with a $50,000 government grant to investigate the feasibility of the group’s sunny daydreams.
It is a case of government investing in its community – and of a community investing in itself.
Back in 2015, chairwoman Annette Kennewell said the alliance wanted to provide practical incentives to embrace solar energy.
A core group of seven people from across the Eurobodalla created a strategic plan.
“One of the first initiatives was to apply for a NSW Government Growing Community Energy grant, through the Office of Environment and Heritage,” Ms Kennewell said back then.
“The program aims to build the community energy sector in New South Wales by empowering communities to develop and own renewable energy projects.
“The grants provide start-up funding, helping to create community energy projects with viable business models for state-wide adaptation.”
Eurobodalla Shire Council provided administration support at the time of the application.
That government got behind the project is to be commended. Now we need strong action at a federal level on helping as many property owners as possible make the shift.
We also need certainty for researchers and Australian manufacturers.
SHASA will use Australian-made panels. Australian researchers once led the world in solar ingenuity – until the funding dark ages came.
Governments must let the sun rise again.