Solar a “Smart Move” as people spend more time at home Going solar now is a smart move according to organisers of the Hepburn Solar Bulk-Buy. “With so many of us spending more time at home due to COVID-19, our electricity use is rising and so too are our bills,” said Jo Kaptein, bulk-buy organiser. “By installing solar and maybe even a battery, households can protect themselves from rising costs and become more self-sufficient.” Attractive solar and battery rebates – as well as interest-free loans – are available from the Victorian government through the Solar Homes program. For eligible households, these rebates and loans can cut the upfront purchase price significantly. In partnership with Hepburn Shire Council, Hepburn Wind and Z-NET Hepburn Shire To help people go solar with the minimum of fuss at this challenging time, the Hepburn Solar Bulk-Buy organiser, the not-for-profit Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance, is [Read More]
Hepburn SES scores solar gift
Hepburn Shire SES has a new 6.3kW solar power system thanks to a $6,700 grant from the Hepburn Solar Bulk-Buy. Made possible through the community bonus element of the bulk-buy, in addition to Hepburn Shire Council’s Towards Zero Community Grants, this solar system is expected to save the Hepburn Shire SES at least $1,250 a year off their electricity bill. These savings will go directly towards the purchase of new equipment and vehicles, as well as help the unit move towards its goal of carbon neutrality. As a not-for-profit volunteer-based organisation, budgets are tight. Funding solar from our own budget was going to be a struggle,” said Brad Climie, Unit Controller at the Hepburn Shire SES. “So when I saw on the Hepburn Shire Council website that the Hepburn Solar Bulk-Buy was offering a community bonus for solar, I thought ‘yes’, let’s go for it!” Cutting bills and CO2 emissions [Read More]
Trentham Primary thrilled to receive 10.5kW solar system
Trentham and District Primary School students and teachers were thrilled to see a new 10.5kW solar system installed at the school recently. The system was gifted to the school as a result of the community bonus from the Hepburn Solar Bulk Buy, which is supported by Hepburn Shire Council and Hepburn Wind. The system, which is valued at $14, 465 will save the school an estimated $3,220 annually. The Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance organizes the bulk-buy, as well as a similar one in the Mt Alexander, Macedon Ranges and Bendigo regions known as the MASH community solar bulk-buy. These projects have installed more than 1500 rooftops on homes across the region, cutting power bills by around $1m and CO2 emissions by 9,000 tonnes annually. Students excited The students, who are learning about sustainability as part of their science studies were excited to learn that as a result of the newly [Read More]
Solar gift helps neediest youth
Over 70 students from the most disadvantaged schools in Victoria will get free places at Doxa’s Malmsbury Camp thanks to a solar gift from the Hepburn Solar Bulk Buy. Bill savings of around $6,500 a year from the 11.5kW solar system will make it possible for Doxa to offer their ‘positive life experience’ camp to the neediest young people in the state. These are students who might not normally have the opportunity to attend camps due to financial hardship” said Jess Case, Manager at Doxa Malmbury. “We’re so happy that this solar system is making it possible for an extra 71 students a year to come on our 3-day residential camp and have a great time outdoors in the bush.” With around 4,500 students going to the Doxa Malmsbury Camp each year, power costs are high. Before solar, electricity bills at the camp were around $25,000 a year with usage at [Read More]
200 new solar rooftops in 2020 for Hepburn Shire
An exciting target of 200 residential solar installations in 2020 has been set by the Hepburn Solar Bulk Buy team. The Hepburn Solar Bulk Buy is part of the big picture plan to achieve zero net emissions in the Hepburn Shire by 2029, the goal of the Hepburn Shire Z-Net program. Making a difference “If 200 installations are achieved this year, the emissions reduction will be around 1400 tonnes of CO2-e per year,” said Taryn Lane from Hepburn Wind. “That’s around 300 less cars on our roads, which would make a big difference,” she said. Strong partnership A partnership between Hepburn Shire Council, Hepburn Wind, Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance and Hepburn Z-NET, the bulk-buy aims to make it easier and more affordable for people to invest in solar and battery storage. “Whilst ambitious, this target is definitely achievable because solar makes financial sense for most households at the moment due [Read More]
Solar Rebates in 2020
What rebates are available to households in 2020 for solar panels and battery storage? What are they worth and who is eligible? This article provides an overview of the current state of play, as of February 2020. It is written by Jo Kaptein, the organiser of the Hepburn Solar Bulk Buy, a program delivered in partnership with Hepburn Shire Council, Hepburn Wind, Hepburn Shire Z-Net and the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance. In this article, I’ll be covering: the federal ‘rebate’ – also known as the STC scheme. the Victorian government rebates for solar panels and batteries – through the Solar Homes program. the solar feed-in tariff – which isn’t a rebate, but still worth knowing about. Federal ‘solar rebate’ Correctly known as Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), this is a federal scheme which is available to all households and is not means-tested. Without STCs, your solar power system would be around [Read More]
