Solar and battery bulk buy scheme powers up

VICTORIA’S largest community solar and battery program is now live and is being supported by all five councils in the G21 region.

The program, launched in Colac last month, aims to fast-track renewable energy uptake in the region to help Victoria achieve its renewable energy target of 50 per cent by 2030, while giving homeowners and businesses access to clean, affordable energy from quality solar and battery systems.

Community advocacy group Geelong Sustainability selected Mondo and RACV Solar to deliver the Geelong Community Solar Program – a region-wide solar and battery offering for homeowners and businesses in the Greater Geelong, Surf Coast, Colac Otway, Golden Plains Shire and Queenscliffe muncipalities.

Leading lobby group G21 – the Geelong Region Alliance – is also supporting the initiative.

The program will deliver value both for the buyer and funding directly back into the region, which covers some 370,000 people across 9,000 sq km.

Local communities are also set to benefit. For every system installed through the program, one solar panel will be donated to go towards an installation on a local community facility.

Geelong Sustainability will chose up to five not-for-profit organisations to receive the donation in collaboration with local program partners.

RACV Solar and Mondo are both leaders in renewable technology and are working alongside not-for-profit Geelong Sustainability, which has contracted GreenLight to provide sustainability services.

“Geelong Sustainability is proud to lead the region-wide Geelong Community Solar Program in partnership with a wide range of supporting organisations,” GreenLight executive officer David Spear said.

“It will engage people in our communities to take charge of their energy usage through education and implementing renewable energy in their homes and businesses.”

RACV Solar chief execurive officer Andy McCarthy said many Victorians were concerned about using energy in a sustainable and cost-effective way.

RACV is investing strongly in renewable energy solutions to help build resilience across regional Victoria.

“We see this program as a commitment to help provide a cleaner, safer, more sustainable and affordable future for the local communities in the region, while supporting local jobs and the economy,” Mr McCarthy said.