Funding to scope solar farm

Wodonga Council has been successful in securing a grant to conduct a feasibility study into developing a large scale solar farm where the benefits can be shared with the community.

The study will seek to identify a parcel of land where at least two mega-watts of solar panels and an education centre could be sited, as well as investigate how the energy generated could be used to benefit the local community.

The project has received $80,000 from the Department of Environment Land Water Planning through its New Energy Jobs Fund, in addition to $20,000 from Wodonga Council.

Wodonga Council CEO Patience Harrington said Wodonga had a high proportion of people who are unable to access the benefits of a solar system because they rent or can’t afford it.

“We want to develop this solar installation so that everyone in the community, and particularly people who can’t generate their own solar power, can benefit from clean energy from the sun,” she said.

The grant was developed in partnership with Renewable Albury Wodonga, a local community group encouraging the uptake of renewable energy across the Albury-Wodonga region.

The announcement follows solar panels being installed on The Cube Wodonga roof, which are expected to deliver $6000 in savings per year.

The system is expected to generate about 10 per cent of The Cube Wodonga’s energy requirements, with a saving of $500 a month.

Several council buildings are fitted with solar systems including the community centres and the Waste Transfer Station.

This article was originally published by the City of Wodonga http://www.wodonga.vic.gov.au/about-us/media-centre/latest-news/201611107990105.asp