Key objectives included demonstrating council leadership, securing funding under state and federal government solar programs, providing triple bottom-line benefits (social, environmental and economic), providing community education about sustainability and renewable energy, and contributing to the wider effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet renewable energy targets.
Major challenges and barriers to meeting these objectives were identified at the outset. These included lack of expertise and capital, uncertainty relating to retail electricity price, carbon price, capital and maintenance costs and technical terminology, and rapid changes in government policy. Overcoming these barriers involved one-to-one meetings, engaging community group, Baw Baw Sustainability Network, to run workshops, and information and knowledge sharing sessions with the six per cent community hall members identified as initially unconvinced about solar power.
Council staff organised one-to-one meetings and provided information and knowledge on solar power system to bring them on board. This is a significant achievement, as many of these members are now great advocates of solar power within the community,” said Manihar.
At project completion, 242kW of grid-connected solar power was installed at 60 community buildings, including the arts centre, community halls, kindergartens and local schools, at a cost of about $600,000, obtained through government funding.
The systems will generate 322 megawatts of clean energy per year while saving 436 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions – or a total of 10,000 tonnes over the life of the system. Energy bills for the facilities where the solar power systems were installed have been reduced by 28%, saving a total of $80,655 per year at current electricity prices.
Baw Baw Shire Council and the Baw Baw Sustainability Network have since also conducted more than 50 solar open days and workshops to raise community awareness and education.
“It is interesting to note that even those rural community members who are not committed environmentalists are supportive of the installation of solar power systems simply because they save money,” said Manihar. “This initiative demonstrates council leadership to assist the community to move towards a low-carbon future.”