Renewable Energy Initiatives
‘Murchison Goes Solar’ (2008) and Shepparton Chamber of Commerce & Industry jointly established
Solar Valley Goes Solar (2009) SVGS working group Geoff Lodge, Ian Christoe, Yvonne Forrest, Roger Perry, Doug Small, Mari Q
D r o m a iu s n o v a e h o lla n d ia e
www.sheppartonsolar.com.au
What is Solar Valley Goes Solar? • A voluntary not for profit community bulk buyers group for renewable/low emission energy projects • Overseen by the Shepparton Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc., • Funded through a $150 project management fee charged to each participant for each project • Managed by a voluntary working group with two part time paid convenors • Supported by Local government authorities and many community groups
and Objectives: •
Reduce greenhouse emissions
•
Assist in the development of the solar industry in the region
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Increase public awareness of renewable energy and low emission technology
Achievements: • • •
500 homes installed solar PV (Murchison Goes Solar 2008 -2009), – The Keep Australia Beautiful - Vic. Energy Conservation Award 2009 900 homes currently installing solar PV (Braemac project) establishing a renewable energy/low emission incorporated association.
Project Outcome As a community service we will facilitate the installation of a combined 3,000 grid-connected solar photovoltaic and solar hot water systems within the Greater Shepparton City Council, the Shires of Strathbogie, Campaspe, Moira and the Benalla Rural City. This offer is open until 22 March 2010.
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Source: Victorian Energy Efficiency Action Statement, Department of Sustainability and Environment, 2006.
Current Solar Projects • Tenders (EOIs) sent to 124 solar hot water/ PV suppliers • working group short listed and interviewed suppliers Selection criteria : • Performance of system - warranty, efficiency ratings and energy outputs • Price - ability to lock in a fixed price for RECs • Process - project management experience, financial backing to cover project and utilisation of local installers
Types of solar hot water systems
Close coupled system
Split panel system Heat Pump
Evacuated tube system
79% more efficient compared to conventional hot water system
Financial incentives to go solar Solar Hot water Rebates – Federal (issued approx 8wks after purchase) – Victorian (must have insulation rebate and/or convert from a gas hot water ) – deducted from purchase price
Solar power electricity (rebate) – Solar credits scheme based on 5 x market value of RECS • Deducted from purchase price
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) introduced 2000 – an electronic, tradable commodity based on the generation of 1 Megawatt hour of renewable energy • Generated eg, wind turbine, solar power, or • Deemed to be generated eg, solar hot water (currently under review)
Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs) introduced 2009 • an electronic, tradable commodity based on the replacement of 1 Megawatt hour of energy such as replacing inefficient whitegoods (eg, light globes, hot water)
Price Structure Solar Hot Water Variable price based on volume
Solar Power (PV) Fixed maximum price - further discounts if RECs value rises above $30 floor price (currently $28)
Zone 2
Zone 1
Zone 3
Zone 4
Community Information Evenings Wednesday 20 January
Euroa Civic Centre, Binney Street, Euroa
Thursday 21 January
Benalla Performing Arts Centre, Samaria Road
Wednesday 3 February
Echuca Shire Offices, Cnr Hare & Heygarth Streets
Thursday 4 February
Kyabram Kyabram Town Hall
Wednesday 10 February
Mooroopna Westside Performing Arts Centre, Echuca Road All sessions commence at 7:30pm
Government Accredited Home Assessors Will Dalgliesh
Cobram, Yarrawonga, Natahlia, Numurkah, Shepparton
Lisa Hawken
Shepparton, Kyabram, Tatura, Echuca
Richard Noble
Benalla, Euroa
Wayne Steward
Shepparton, Mooroopna, Euroa, Rushworth, Tatura, Kyabram, Numurkah, Nathalia, Rochester
Rhondda Boer
Euroa, Violet Town and 30km radius of Benalla
Austin Hazeldene
All project area with a preference for Benalla
Government Green Loans The Green Loans Program provides: Free Home Sustainability Assessments; and Green Loans Government •access to a Green Loan of up to $10,000, interest free over four years, to implement the recommendations in the assessment report.
Project Convenors Geoff Lodge 0417 206 722 Yvonne Forrest 0417 223 199
www.sheppartonsolar.com.au