A scheme to reduce solar buy-in prices for homeowners by at least 20 per cent launched in Bendigo today.
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Started by the not-for-profit Hub Foundation in Castlemaine two years ago, More Australian Solar Homes has so far installed almost 500 solar power systems in the Mount Alexander and Macedon Ranges shires.
Hub project officer Jo Kaptein said MASH aimed to have 300 solar systems installed on Bendigo homes by March next year.
“We do it by consolidating the buying power of residents to negotiate terrific prices,” Ms Kaptein said.
“So if we can do more than 300, then that'd be awesome,”
“This is a three shire roll-out so, across the whole region, we're aiming for 600 solar homes in central Victoria – more than double what we've achieved so far.”
And there is more good news for renewable energy enthusiasts in Bendigo.
If the campaign achieves its target, the Hub Foundation is promising to install solar systems on three different community buildings.
“For every 100 homes installed we are donating a big system – a 5 kilowatt system – to community groups in Bendigo, including schools and kinders,” the project officer said.
The foundation also launched an interactive, online map yesterday showing every home which signs onto the MASH scheme.
“At the moment, what we see for Bendigo is virtually sweet nothing,” Ms Kaptein said.
“But we’ll be updating the map every month – and we’re hoping that’s soon going to change.”