New solar community project launched in Geelong

AN INNOVATIVE community energy investment project for Geelong was officially launched last week.

About 30 Geelong Sustainability members were briefed about the clean energy project, CORE Geelong One, which will raise funds to install 156kW of rooftop solar power at an aged care facility in North Geelong.

The host site, Multicultural Aged Care Services (MACS), will lease the solar system for 10 years.  The lease fees will repay principal and interest to the 20 investors. At the end of the lease, ownership of the system will transfer to MACS for one dollar.

Geelong Sustainability President, Vicki Perrett explained the history of the project at the meeting at Waurn Ponds Library.

“Back in 2014, the top response to a supporter survey identified the need for a bold renewable energy project in our region,” she said.

“Our volunteer driven group accepted the challenge and established a CORE (Community Owned Renewable Energy) task group.

“After four years of research and development, we are very excited to be launching the project tonight.

“The win-win-win project delivers benefits for the aged care facility, for local investors and for the environment.”

A competitive tender has been conducted, and local company City to Surf Solar Plus won the contract to install 520 solar panels and power monitoring in coming months.

Project co-ordinator Dan Cowdell acknowledged the enabling grant funding provided by the state government through the New Energy Jobs Fund.

“Our community owned business model is a first both in our region and in Victoria,” he said.

“State government funding has enabled us to implement this pilot project and validate our business model.

“The project will reduce carbon emissions by 210 tonnes annually, which is equivalent to planting over 1470 trees per year or taking 60 cars off the road.

“Going forward, we intend rolling out more projects. We are already investigating further potential host sites and keen to connect with others.”