MASH – the campaign for More Australian Solar Homes – is a highly successful community solar bulk-buy for homes in Central Victoria. Now over 1,500 households in the City of Greater Bendigo, Mount Alexander, Macedon Ranges and Hepburn Shires have chosen to go solar with MASH.
MASH started in mid 2014 as a project of the not-for-profit Hub Foundation in Castlemaine, with the aim of doing something practical to help cut CO2 emissions. In April 2018, ownership and management of MASH was transferred to the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance, a not-for-profit organisation based in Castlemaine that works across central and northern Victoria to support local government with climate change mitigation activities. MASH has been recognised as an outstanding example of a community solar bulk-buy with an award from Environment Victoria.
MASH helps make solar simple
The MASH bulk-buy offers high quality solar power systems and battery storage, backed by solid warranties and installed according to best practice industry standards. It also provides great value, with competitive prices negotiated as part of the bulk-buy.
With MASH, there’s also a ‘give back’ to the community in the form of free solar for community groups, kindergartens or schools in the region – around 5kW for each 100 solar rooftops installed.
MASH: Benefits to residents, communities and the environment
The level of interest and uptake for solar through MASH has been fabulous. Householders, in particular, seem to really get what MASH stands for – a way of buying a high quality solar and batteries at discounted prices from a trusted source, where there’s also a benefit to the local community.
Here is what MASH & its sister bulk-buy, Hepburn Solar Bulk-Buy, have achieved since September 2014, when the first installations took place:
- Over 1,500 new solar rooftops.
- Over 5.7MW of installed solar power capacity (around 20,000 solar panels).
- Household electricity bills cut by $1M each year.
- CO2 emissions cut by more than 9,000 tonnes each year (equivalent to around 1800 cars off the road).
- Fourteen free solar systems donated to schools and buildings used by community groups.
- High levels of customer satisfaction
Supported by Local Councils and Sustainability Groups
Council has supported the MASH solar bulk-buy initiative since it started in 2014. More than 300 shire residents have already chosen to go solar with MASH.
We commend this program for its quality and value, as well as the wider benefits it delivers to our community and the environment.
"Given that Mount Alexander Sustainability Group (MASG) is committed to working towards zero net emissions in Mount Alexander Shire by 2030, we are happy to continue our support for the MASH bulk-buy. MASH has helped over 500 households in the Mt Alexander Shire go solar in the last 5 years, cutting CO2 emissions by around 3,000 tonnes each year. This is a worthwhile program that also supports local community groups and schools with free solar. We recommend that anyone looking to go solar, or add battery storage, takes a look at what MASH round 5 can offer.”
"With the increase in home working, many of us are using more electricity in the daytime with a resulting increase in power bills. Solar, more than ever, makes great sense for many households and businesses. Combined with the rebates on offer from state and federal governments, the costs of going solar are looking very attractive at the moment. Even battery storage with a Tesla Powerwall 2 has come down to below $10k through the MASH program, for those households who are eligible for the battery rebate. Whilst this is still a lot of money, it is the lowest it has ever been!
We've supported the MASH bulk-buy for over 4 years, and we're delighted to continue our support for this worthwhile program as it enters its fifth round.
We're assured that the MASH team has done its due diligence by going out to tender to seek a high quality, reputable solar supplier and installer.
Check out the MASH bulk-buy if you are thinking solar power or battery storage. They're a good option to consider - plus they give back to our local community in the form of free solar for community groups."
"Council welcomes the MASH community solar bulk-buy in our Shire. Over 300 residents in Macedon Ranges have chosen to install a MASH system since November 2015. The program has been well-proven for its quality and value.
"It also delivers a tangible benefit to our community in the form of free solar systems for community run buildings for every 100 homes installed. We encourage residents interested in solar, including battery storage, to take a look."
Is the CVGA (the organiser of MASH) making any money out of bulk-buy?
The not-for-profit Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance (CVGA) receives a small commission on each installation in order to make a contribution towards the costs of marketing and administration of the MASH project.
