Dubbo Regional Council will investigate implementing a community-focused Solar Revolving Fund which will offer homeowners in the council’s area the opportunity of slashing their power bills by going solar.
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Councillor Jane Diffey championed the idea at the September council meeting and said the only cost to the council would be the work hours to set up the scheme.
“We’ve led the way with the solar farms and wind farms in the region and this will allow householders and business owners to reduce their carbon footprint at no cost to them,” Cr Diffey said.
“It will also provide savings on electricity bills. The scheme allows council to demonstrate climate responsibility whilst empowering community to reduce carbon emissions as well as assist householders in lowering their electricity costs.
“I would envisage that this would appeal to residents in the Local Government Area who haven’t had the means or opportunity to be able to do so prior by way of solar installation.”
Councillor Diffey said the scheme would allow ratepayers to get solar panels and pay back the cost of the installation to the council.
“Both Adelaide and Darebin Councils have longer payback times allowing recipients immediate savings on bills,” she said.
According to information at corenafund.org.au Adelaide indicative figures demonstrate that a 5kW solar system costs $1.14 per watt, the total cost with GST equates to $5,700, the solar generation in KW per year would be 7,655 and repayments including 4 per cent interest would be $1264.00 per year.
The savings per year if 100 per cent is used onsite amounts to $2682.75 and the time-frame for payback including solar, GST and interest is 2.36 years.
Councillor Diffey said how people generate power and the rising cost of it is of concern to her.
“I believe that it is important to consider our environment and how best to look after it for future generations whilst being mindful of affordable living,” she said.
“Scheme’s such as the solar revolving fund mean that ratepayers who may not have the immediate funds to install a solar scheme would now have the opportunity to access funds to assist in reducing their carbon footprint as well as save on electricity bills.”
Councillor Diffey said council is yet to determine how the scheme would be funded if it were to be implemented.
Craig Thomson
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
