Geelong community solar powers up

RESIDENTS living in Geelong’s Multicultural Aged Care Centre Services (MACS) 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 joined Geelong MP Christine Couzens last week to open the project, which will reduce MACS’s operating costs.

The Labor Government provided $188,000 to Geelong Sustainability Group for the project, with more than $150,000 raised by the local community.

The funding was provided through the state government’s New Energy Jobs Fund, which has already awarded more than $12.6 million to 45 projects.

“This project highlights the potential for communityowned solar to help drive Victoria’s transition to renewable energy,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.

She also announced that 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 draughtproofed with high efficiency air-conditioning and 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 to receive the free home energy audit and retrofit package.