McCallum gets power-up

THE State’s Grampians Renewable Energy Program has seen McCallum Disability Services’ residential units fitted with a solar system.

Forty-two kilowatts worth of panels are now atop McCallum’s Alfredton houses which support people with intellectual and physical disabilities.

McCallum’s executive manager business development and infrastructure, Matt Valance said the Disability Services team is extremely grateful to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions for advocating for the project’s value.

“They assisted in securing funding for this project. The installation… of solar panels will help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and reduce energy costs for out residents who live within these homes,” he said.

Mr Valance reported “very healthy” cost-cutting already, saving over $200 in the final three months of last year.

BREAZE president Mary Debrett said the McCallum solar project was identified by the group during their three-year Ballarat Community Power Hub initiative.

“The installations, completed in late 2020, are now proving a boon to all residents and McCallum administration, as those cost savings come home,” she said.

“This is a terrific outcome for McCallum, the community and the environment. BREAZE welcomes the successful completion of the first project funded through the Grampians Renewable Energy Program, delivered in partnership with DELWP.

“We look forward to delivering another eight renewable projects across the region in coming months.”

McCallum is planning to establish more purpose-built housing with a 10-star energy efficiency rating.

High thermal property materials, low energy equipment, solar panels, batteries, and other carbon footprint-lowering technologies are being explored.