House of Hope celebrates solar donation

THE outlook is bright at the House of Hope now under construction in Mount Duneed, with a donated solar system expected to save the women’s rehabilitation facility about $1,000 a month in running costs.

The live-in facility for women seeking drug and alcohol rehabilitation support is only the second of its kind in Victoria, and is expected to accept its first intake in early 2024.

Australian Women in Solar Energy (AWISE), in conjunction with leading solar manufacturers REC Solar and Enphase Energy, co-ordinated the donation of the 80-panel, 30kW system, which was installed by local company Vortex Electrical and will provide most of the daytime electrical power required to run all House of Hope’s operations.

Run by Geelong-based not-for-profit Foundation 61, House of Hope aims to accommodate up to eight women and will feature a dedicated children’s play area, education room and wellbeing facilities.

House of Hope will also feature two family rooms where women can stay with their pre-school children for six months or longer.

AWISE and Foundation 61 hosted a “Solar Celebration” at House of Hope on Thursday last week to unveil the solar system.

Foundation 61 founder and chief executive officer Rob Lytzki said the savings from the solar system would be invaluable.

He said a comparable private facility would cost patients up to $10,000 per month, but House of Hope would run entirely on philanthropic and community support through grants and donations, with the cost to patients being 85 percent of their fortnightly Centrelink benefit.

 

“The gift of solar energy could mean the difference between the centre self-sustaining or struggling to a standstill.

“Savings from the new solar system will enable us to meet the costs of almost a quarter of our paid support staffing requirements.

“For us, this gift is an operational lifeline that makes House of Hope viable.”

Local Geelong resident Sophie Wright was one of the founding members of AWISE, which was established to support women in the solar industry as well as driving projects to support women in local communities.

“I was completely blown away by the backstory of House of Hope and Foundation 61 in Geelong,” she said.

“They have previously founded a men’s rehabilitation centre in Geelong and now want to do the same for women.

“AWISE is passionate about supporting women, so donating a solar system for House of Hope and coordinating its installation through my work with Vortex Electrical, is a way that we can really help this project.

“Solar is such a valuable gift because the savings continue well into the future, particularly as the Victorian Default Market Offer – the benchmark price for electricity – has just increased by 30 per cent.

“As a fully electric site, energy bills are one of the significant overheads. By using the energy from the sun, we can keep these as low as possible which in turn means that the House of Hope can channel their funds into running their programs.”

For more information on House of Hope and Foundation 61, head to foundation61.org.au