The Goulburn Community Energy Co-op has announced the successful tenderers to build its local community-owned solar farm.
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A consortium of contractors including local firm Goulburn Solar, Sydney based Smart Commercial Solar, and Wagga based Solar Professionals have been selected, Community Energy for Goulburn (CE4G) president Peter Fraser said.
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CE4G is coordinating the project's day to day running.
"We have kept our focus local, so this means that a significant number of jobs will be supported in the local community, in addition to the revenue that will be generated and distributed to local investors once the solar farm is producing power," Mr Fraser said.
The community owned solar farm will be built on the northern side of Goulburn between Sydney Road and the rail line and now includes a large battery, enabling the the energy to be sold into the grid at peak times during the afternoon.
Mr Fraser said locals had raised close to $2 million to build the 1.4MW solar farm. Most of the profits from electricity sales from the farm will be distributed to the local investors, keeping the money in the community.
The project is funded by the state government, in association with Community Energy for Goulburn, under the Regional Community Energy Fund.
Mr Fraser said the Co-op would also set up a special fund to help disadvantaged people in the region pay their energy bills. He encouraged all those interested in learning more about the project or investing to visit www.goulburnsolarfarm.com.au
"That way we not only build the local economy but also help those in this community that are struggling to pay their bills, keep warm in winter and comfortable in summer," Mr Fraser said.
"Since the project was first launched by John Hewson more than seven years ago, there have been many changes to the technology that have significantly improved its potential. We have now sourced a pre-wired inverter and transformer that will make the project more cost effective and at the same time reduce potential for construction errors.
"And provided we can raise additional funds we are looking to incorporate a much larger battery that will increase revenue substantially."
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With the huge increase in household solar uptake and the drop in midday wholesale energy prices, the Co-op have identified the potential benefits of investing in a bigger battery that can be charged in the middle of the day when energy prices are low. The battery can then re-sell the power in the early evening and achieve a better return when wholesale prices are much higher.
"A bigger battery would cost us more so we are now opening up the project to new investors who want to take advantage of a good return on their investment and support local jobs and renewable energy at the same time," Mr Fraser said.
Anyone interested in investing in the project can find out more information at www.goulburnsolarfarm.com.au
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