MASH-wide news Archives - Page 29 of 53

Pensioner solar scheme – sign up by 31 Oct 2017!

Pensioners in Mount Alexander Shire can sign up to Solar Savers before the end of October.

Do you know any pensioners in Mount Alexander Shire with a pension card and no solar? Or are you one?

If so, check out the Solar Savers program which is being delivered across Central Victoria – including our Shire – through a collaboration of 20 councils and Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance, together with funding support from State Government.

But don’t delay as the last date for signing up is coming up soon – Tuesday 31st October.

Call the Solar Savers team on (03) 9385 8512 or visit www.solarsavers.org.au.

The program works by offering pensioners a special low-interest loan that has no upfront costs and is gradually paid off over 10 years by power bill savings.

“Solar Savers is a fantastic program that helps pensioners to not only save money, but also lower their carbon footprint,” said Ben Bowman, Manager Healthy Environments, Mount Alexander Shire Council.

“It is anticipated that every participating household will be at least $100 better off at the end of each year than they would be without the solar system,” said Mr Bowman.

“This means that after the ten year loan period, each household is at least $1,000 better off and owns a solar system outright,” he said.

The solar system brings peace of mind to pensioners to help them stay comfortable in extreme heat by running their fan or air conditioner without so much concern about the electricity bill.

“We know that pensioners have a lot to gain from solar power – many own their homes and use most of their power when the sun is shining,” said Mr Bowman.

“We encourage you or your loved ones to make the most of this opportunity and sign up before the cut-off date of Tuesday 31 October,” he said.

This is not a project through the Hub Foundation or the MASH community solar bulk-buy but it is a project that we fully support.

We encourage anyone who thinks that they may be eligible to get in touch with the Solar Savers team on (03) 9385 8512 or www.solarsavers.org.au.

Castlemaine North Primary School Rallies Around Solar

Students and staff at Castlemaine North Primary School turned out in force to celebrate the recent installation of a free 5.4kW solar system on their school. This system is funded by a donation from the MASH community solar bulk-buy. It is expected to significantly cut the school’s electricity bills with the savings directly benefiting students and staff.

Castlemaine North Primary School students think MASH is great

“We plan to install a shade structure over the deck outside the Grade 5/6 classrooms and some of the bill savings from going solar may go towards this project,” said Cheryl Neilson, President of the Castlemaine North Primary School Council.

“There’s a green bonus for the school too”, said Jo Kaptein, Project Officer at the Hub Foundation, the not-for-profit organiser of the MASH bulk-buy. “The system is expected to reduce the school’s carbon footprint by cutting CO2 emissions by around 8 tonnes each year; equal to around 30 fewer cars on our roads over the next 20 years.”

“Sustainability is a big focus for us”, said Karen Seaton, Principal at Castlemaine North Primary School. “We are working towards becoming a ResourceSmart School which means embedding sustainability in everything we do. This new solar system fits perfectly with our environmental strategy and we thank the Hub Foundation – as well as MASH customers – for helping us become cleaner and greener in our operations.”

The system was installed by Sunergy, a Bendigo based solar company responsible for installations for MASH round 3. It represents the successful outcome of MASH round 3 and delivers the community bonus aspect of the MASH program – a free 5.4kW system on a school or community building for every 100 new MASH solar homes.

The Castlemaine North Primary School installation is the fifth solar system donated to schools and community groups through the MASH community solar bulk-buy. Other recipients of MASH community bonus systems are Newstead Community Centre (5kW), Newham Primary School (5kW) and Castlemaine Housing Service (4kW).

ENDS

About the Hub Foundation

The Hub Foundation is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. It was set up in 2014 to help reduce the Mount Alexander Shire’s – and the planet’s – CO2 emissions through a range of projects including MASH, short for ‘More Australian Solar Homes’.

MASH is a community solar bulk-buy project which has cut emissions by around 4,000 tonnes a year (equal to around 780 cars off the road) by installing over 10,000 solar panels on more than 700 homes (as of Sept 2017). This is saving residents around $500,000 off their electricity bills each year.

Through the MASH community bonus, 20kW of free solar systems have been installed on local community buildings and schools with the most recent being a free 5.4kW system on Castlemaine North Primary School.

For more information about MASH and to register your interest, visit www.mash.org.au or call 1300 466 274.

St Francis of the Fields Makes the Switch

St Francis of the Fields switches to solar with MASH — “I love solar panels. They provide us with free electricity from the sun and help our environment be safer for us all”. Harry Norman, Prep at St Francis of the Fields Primary School, near Bendigo. Photo credit: Reel Air Imagery.

St Francis of the Fields Primary School has teamed up with MASH (More Australian Solar Homes) and The Hub Foundation Castlemaine to install solar panels to reduce their energy bills by 50%.

One of the largest primary schools in the region goes solar

St Francis of the Fields is located in Strathfieldsaye, Bendigo and is one of the largest primary schools in the region with just over 550 students. Named after St Francis of Assisi the school sits on 28 acres of farming and sporting fields and has dedicated its curriculum to learning about living more sustainably whilst guiding their students to be their best, be safe, respect for all and their environment.

220 panels installed

As part of this program the school has installed 220 solar panels on their Gymnasium Centre, which accounts for 64 kW of free green clean energy.

MASH supported the process

School Principal Tim Moloney says that the large roof of the Gymnasium Centre is the perfect place for solar panels to generate clean solar electricity, reduce costs and make a lasting impression on our students and wider community.

It’s been a pleasure working with the not for profit group The Hub Foundation via their MASH project. They have supported us through the process that has allowed an increase in our schools capacity for clean solar electricity for our school.

Not only will these systems contribute to the environmental impact of our community but the cost savings will contribute to the financial stability of our school. Over $100,000 of solar panels* have been installed on the shed roof and we have committed to a 3 year lease where we pay $22,000 per year. With the expected cut to our power bills will be $14,500, we will only pay $7,500 per year for 3 years and then we will own all solar equipment, says Mr. Moloney.

Solar is just the first step

Mr. Moloney says that the savings won’t finish there.

We are committed to the ongoing reduction of our carbon footprint and energy bills. The solar is the first step. We have also replaced all high bay and fluro lights inside our gymnasium with LED lighting. Next will be to convert 400 fluro lights inside the main school building to LED. I can’t wait to see the savings and to see the students become involved in the daily monitoring of solar generation, cuts to our energy consumption and become more environmentally aware.

Students excited

The St Francis students are also excited about what it means to have solar panels in their school and how they can be involved.

The solar and LED lights use less energy but the lights are brighter and turn on and off faster than the old ones. – Gil Neilson Grade 3

I love solar panels. They provide us with free electricity from the sun and help our environment be safer for us all. Harry Norman Prep.

If you would like more information about this story or would like to arrange a visit to the school please contact Rebecca Norman at 0438 934 018 or email at bec@friendlysavage.com.

The MASH community bulk buy is now open in City of Greater Bendigo and the shires of Mount Alexander and the Macedon Ranges. Visit mash.org.au to learn more and to register for a quote.

*Note: This is the value of the solar system before deducting the value of the Small-scale Technology Certificates.

$10,000 solar grant for Castlemaine Childcare Centre

Castlemaine Childcare Centre Goes Solar — Adults from L-R: Daria Healy-Aarons, Chair, Castlemaine Childcare Centre, Ray West, Educator, Castlemaine Childcare Centre, Jo Kaptein, the Hub Foundation, and Kristy Broadhurst, Kindergarten teacher, Castlemaine Childcare Centre

Thousands of green electricity customers around Australia have chosen to support community energy projects by contributing a bit extra when paying their bills – and Castlemaine Childcare Centre, also known as Carinya, is one of the lucky recipients.

Solar to cut electricity bill by around half

A grant of $10,000 from Powershop, Australia’s greenest electricity retailer, will go towards a new solar installation on the Centre helping them cut their electricity bill by around half. “Carinya was chosen to receive $10,000 because they are highly regarded amongst their local community for providing quality education services. What’s more, they are totally committed to sustainability, and the solar installation is part of their wider energy efficiency program,” said Ed McManus, Powershop CEO.

“Powershop customers have collectively contributed more than $100,000 to support local green energy projects which proves how important renewable energy is to customers,” said Ed.

Hub Foundation and MASH helped make it happen

The new solar installation is supported in partnership with Castlemaine not-for-profit, The Hub Foundation, which is committed to helping reduce the shire’s and the planet’s CO2 emissions. Hub initiatives include the MASH community solar bulk buy project which has installed 10,000 solar panels in the region, cutting CO2 emissions by around 4,000 tonnes annually.

Solar to power new split systems, improving comfort levels

Daria Healy-Aarons, Chair of the Management Committee said “Being a not-for-profit childcare centre with 120 children enrolled, we value the money parents invest in their children’s care and education. Not only will the 10.73kW solar system cut our power bills – it will also provide the extra free, clean power we need to move forward with our other energy efficiency projects. We want to do things like put in new split systems to improve the comfort levels in all the rooms and now we can in the knowledge that they’ll be powered largely by the sun.

“This Powershop grant came about because of the Hub Foundation and MASH,” said Daria. “We knew we could do with more solar as our electricity bills were so high so we got in touch with Jo Kaptein at the Hub who put two and two together – literally. We’re thrilled that this has happened, and so quickly.”

Powershop is searching for its next Your Community Energy projects. If you know of a not-for-profit community group that needs a cash injection, send us an email at communityenergy@powershop.com.au

For more information about the MASH community solar bulk-buy, which is currently open for registrations, visit mash.org.au.

About Powershop Australia

Melbourne based Powershop Australia powers more than 90,000 homes and businesses across Victoria, New South Wales and South East Qld. Powershop’s parent company, Meridian Energy Australia is the owner-operator of two wind farms in Australia (Mount Mercer in Victoria and Mount Millar in South Australia).

If you switch using this link, then a small contribution is paid by Powershop to the Hub Foundation to support our work on the MASH solar bulk-buy project and our other work to help tackle climate change locally.

In case you don’t know much about Powershop, here’s nine reasons to love them:

They’ve been ranked #1 retailer on Canstar Blue’s Most Satisfied Customer – Electricity Providers Victoria for two years running (2015 & 2016)
They love solar! Solar customers at Powershop receive the same great rates and discounts as non-solar customers, along with an 8.2c/kWh feed-in tariff.
They’re Australia’s greenest power company (Greenpeace Green Electricity Guide 2014 & 2015)
They’re Australia’s first and only 100% certified carbon neutral electricity retailer
They have super competitive rates, plus no credit card fees
They offer great discounts off usage AND supply charges
They don’t lock you into contracts or charge exit fees
They have an awesome smartphone app and online usage tools
They provide monthly online billing to avoid bill shock

About Castlemaine Childcare Centre

Castlemaine Childcare Co-operative is a not-for-profit community co-operative situated in the heart of Castlemaine in Central Victoria. They operate a 60-place long day care centre called ‘Carinya’ for children between the ages of six weeks and five years of age, including kinder and pre-kinder programs.
They also manage Family Day Care, a network of educators who provide programs for under school age and school age children in their own homes and local schools.
The co-operative was founded by a group of parents in 1982. Since then it has continued to be run by a committee of management made up of parents. At least one adult member from each family must become a member of the Co-operative on enrolment and buy one share at the cost of $1. Only members can nominate for positions on the committee.
The co-operative is committed to sustainability and lessening their impact on the environment and with the funding from Your Community Energy they will be able to install a 10kW solar system to significantly reduce their electricity costs by an estimated 50%.

Now Open: New Round of MASH Community Solar Bulk-Buy

MASH customers Patricia and Barrie King, “I just think it’s the right thing to do. The community gets something out of it as well.”

The latest round of the highly successful MASH community solar bulk buy project launched this week in response to strong demand from residents and businesses.

Prices 6.5% lower

According to project officer, Jo Kaptein, ”With MASH 3.1 we’re offering quality rooftop solar systems at discounted prices which are, on average, 6.5% below those of last year. With components supplied by a national company, Solargain, installations will be carried out by local installers, where possible, to the benefit of the local economy.

“As well, for every 100 installations, there will be a community bonus: we will put a free 5kW system on a community building or school as we’ve done since we started in 2014.

Feed-in-tariff set to double from 1st July

“It’s definitely a great time to go solar. Electricity prices are going up which means that the solar electricity you produce for your own use will save you more money.

“On top of that, the government mandated minimum price you get for exporting solar power back to the grid will more than double from the 1^st of July 2017 – from 5 cents per kilowatt hour to 11.3 cents per kilowatt hour.

“So, it’s now easier than ever before to earn a high rate of return on your solar investment. Many people will be able to pay off their system within 5-7 years. After that, the cost of the solar power used will be virtually zero.

Solar can really make a difference

“There’s another factor too. We have to go solar to help save the planet from serious climate change. A solar system can cut a household’s total carbon emissions by around 20-30%”, said Kaptein.

Almost 700 MASH solar homes

To date, MASH has installed solar on almost 700 houses. Now 28% of homes in Mount Alexander and 22% in Macedon Ranges have solar and MASH is aiming for 50% in both areas by 2020. With the continuing interest in solar, the organisers believe this is a reasonable objective.

Register for a quote & free home visit

If you’re interested in going solar with MASH, visit www.mash.org.au to register. You will then receive a call from a Solargain representative who will provide you with a quote and, if required, a free home visit.

MASH, organised by the not-for-profit Hub Foundation

MASH, the campaign for More Australian Solar Homes, is a project of the not-for-profit Hub Foundation in Castlemaine which was set up in 2014 to help reduce CO2 emissions in the region. The MASH project has cut CO2 emissions by over 3,700 tonnes annually, about the same as 730 fewer cars on our roads each year.

MASH is available to homes and businesses in the shires of Mount Alexander, Macedon Ranges and Hepburn, as well as the City of Greater Bendigo.

The Midland Express is proud to be a partner of the MASH project.

Giant Vine to Take Over the Phee!

Watch out! A giant, virtual flowering vine is soon to take over the Phee Broadway Theatre foyer as part of the Castlemaine State Festival. The vine will grow into an ever-changing digital sculpture that maps the pledges visitors make to care for the environment.

Making a green pledge has never been so fun! L-R: Jo Kaptein, Hub Foundation with friends: Arlo Sherry, Michael Gray, Carla Rotteveel, Dan Bailey and Jo Kian. Photo credit: Richard Baxter, richardbaxterartist.com

Bringing together arts and sustainability

Known as the Garden of Earthly Delights, the artwork, is generously supported by not-for profit organisation, the Hub Foundation, and is the brainchild of local arts producer, Jodi Newcombe of Carbon Arts, and Melbourne-based digital artist, Pierre Proske. By bringing together arts and sustainability the team hopes to foster a unique space for conversation and connection.

At set times, festivalgoers will be invited to plant their ‘seeds of change’ – actions that will make a difference to the local environment, particularly in reducing carbon emissions that contribute to climate change. These actions become animated by the witty and playful illustrations of award-winning artist and collaborator, Sarah Firth.

“We can often feel like our efforts alone don’t have much of an impact” says producer Jodi Newcombe. “The idea behind this artwork is to show how little actions add up and to reward people for their initiative.”

“The Hub Foundation’s mission is to help reduce the Shire’s carbon emissions”, says project officer Jo Kaptein. “With this artwork we see an innovative opportunity to connect people to local resources and organizations that will help them make a difference.

One of the real world pledges being offered to festivalgoers is the chance to contribute to a solar project at the Winters Flat Primary School in Castlemaine. Donations of just $2 per ticket are equivalent to making that festival experience carbon neutral and are part of the festival’s efforts to take a leadership stance on climate change.

“What this project highlights, in the most colourful and engaging of ways, is the incredible strength and diversity of environmental organisations in this shire. It’s by working together that we will achieve our goal of a zero net emissions future”, says MASG Mount Alexander Sustainability Group chair Mary Blain.

The Garden of Earthly Delights will launch on the 18th of March at the Phee Broadway Theatre foyer. Check the festival program for specific times and dates for interacting with and contributing to the building of the artwork with your green pledges.

VENUE:Foyer of the Phee Broadway Theatre, Mechanics Lane, Castlemaine
DATES & TIMES
For viewing:
Saturday 18 to Saturday 25 March, 10am to 5pm
For interacting:
Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 March, 10am to 12pm and 5 to 7pm
Wednesday 22 to Friday 24 March, 10 to 12pm
ADMISSION:Free