Plans for a community-owned solar power system could soon come to fruition in inner Melbourne, thanks to the vision of Yarra Climate Action Now (YCAN).
The independent community group is planning on using funds provided by the community to purchase solar panels, which will be installed on a large rooftop area.
Who is providing the rooftop? Well a number of locations are currently in the running, and they will buy the electricity generated by the solar panels, giving local investors an annual return.
Group volunteer Neil Erenstrom explained to the Sydney Morning Herald that feasibility tests are already underway on buildings such as factories and schools.
"We're looking at installing about 100 kilowatts, which will produce enough energy to power about 40 typical households in Yarra," he told the paper.
Community solar projects are popular in some parts of the world – namely the UK – but Australia is still pretty new to such a concept.
Initiatives such as these can open up solar power to people who may not otherwise have considered it – or who believe the cost of an installation is too high.
Posted by Mike Peacock