Victorian Solar For Public Buildings Rollout Update

The Victorian Government’s Solar on Public Buildings program has seen dozens of solar installations completed, and dozens more to come.

The $9.2 million program is installing solar power systems – and batteries in some cases – on public buildings such as community halls and sports and recreation facilities within the Barwon South West, Grampians, Hume, Loddon Mallee and Port Phillip regions.

The program’s aims are to reduce energy bills for volunteer committees of management, increase community energy knowledge and help support the long-term sustainability of volunteer community groups.

The current program follows a similar initiative in the Gippsland area in 2017-19 that resulted in 69 installations. These original systems have reportedly slashed the power bills of community groups using the buildings by an average of 81 per cent, with savings estimated at $260,000 per year collectively.

Yesterday, Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change¹ Lily D’Ambrosio said 50 new sites have had solar installations and further 55 are approved for installation over the coming months. Among the new sites to benefit is Eskdale Recreation Reserve at Eskdale, a small town near Albury-Wodonga, where solar panels and a battery system were recently installed.

Helping Communities And Victoria’s Emissions Goals

Where groups aren’t spending as much on energy, they are able to redirect these funds to other activities – for example, Fawcett Hall Committee of Management will put its savings from solar energy into further upgrades for the hall.

The hall previously had an 8-year-old 1.5kW system, which the Committee was able to sell rather than dump. The new system (size unknown) was an especially welcome addition given the Committee hadn’t been able generate any income from hall hire hall for 18 months due to restrictions.

“This is a great example of how we’re delivering real action on climate change in regional Victoria by investing in local projects that will help communities build thriving and sustainable futures,” said Minister D’Ambrosio. “Our strong investment in renewable energy and solar energy systems is creating local jobs, reducing power bills and helping us achieve our ambitious emissions reduction targets.”

The Victorian Government’s interim 2021–2025 target is for emissions to reduce 28–33% below 2005 levels by the end of 2025. For the period 2026–2030,  it’s aiming for 45–50% below 2005 levels by the end of that period. Victoria’s Climate Change Act 2017 established a long-term target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Local contractors are being selected where possible to perform the installations. The type and size of solar power system installed varies according to the site, with each site assessed to determine what will be required to offset the energy needs of the facility and to meet program objectives.

All systems are being equipped with advanced solar monitoring to alert the volunteer committee if the system is not operating as it should and to provide real-time information on energy production and consumption, which can help with maximising electricity bill savings.

“This is a terrific outcome for the community, the environment and our hardworking volunteer committees which are the backbone of small communities across Victoria,” said Minister D’Ambrosio.