15 Bendigo families will now be going solar thanks to the generosity of the community.
The project, called ‘The Solar on Low-Income Homes Project,’ was a collaboration between the Community Power Hub Loddon Mallee and Bendigo Community Health Services. The project was supported by funding from Sustainability Victoria on behalf of the Victorian Government.
Solar 1 Electrical were over the moon to win the tender process and will be responsible for installing solar for each family with no upfront costs.
Colin Lambie, from the Community Power Hub Loddon Mallee, said “Our Power Hub was delighted to lead this project development and to spearhead the fundraising for the solar systems, raising the funds needed to pay for the project”
“Bendigo Community Health Services helped the Community Power Hub identify homes for solar systems across 15 homes within the Greater Bendigo Region, allowing low-income families to have access to renewable energy while driving down the costs of their electricity bills.”
Bendigo Community Health’s team were responsible for selecting the 15 families while the crowd fundraising was taking place. Thanks to the generosity of the community including individuals and businesses who kindly donated, the project raised $24,000 in cash donations, with 100% of donations going to the systems.
The ‘Solar Homes Program’ which is a Victorian Government initiative along with the Federal Government Small-Scale Technology Certificates incentives allowed for an additional $46,185 in discounts. Solar 1 Electrical, with a motto of ‘Quality First’ then sourced products resulting in solar PV systems to be installed with no upfront costs for local Bendigo families.
Christopher Panayi from Solar 1 Electrical led the tender process and drove some hard deals with local suppliers AWM Bendigo to ensure they could offer the best possible pricing to reach a zero upfront cost, while ensuring they maintain their motto of buying and supporting local businesses.
Christopher said “I was delighted to be able to help so many families, assisting them in understanding solar and ensuring we could provide the necessary guidance for each family to apply for the Solar Homes Rebates through Solar Victoria. The entire team across all divisions of Bendigo Community Health Services and the Community Power Hub were great to deal with and made the project one I am very proud to be a part of”.
Solar 1 Electrical is currently working through the application process alongside each family with installations due to be completed by June 2022.
