On Tuesday 28/7/09, solar photovoltaic panels will be installed on the roof of the St Johns church in Bega. The money for the 2 kWatt panels was raised as a joint venture between Clean Energy For Eternity and the St Johns congregation, with the major fundraising event being the Brogo Dam LifeSaving Energy Big Swim held in February of this year. A CEFE raffle will be drawn at the St Johns Church fete on 8/8/09 with prizes including an electric powered mountain bike, a pool table (donated by Sports Power), a lawn mower, a Peter Otton limited edition print, and a bed and breakfast stay at the Brogo Fernmark bed and breakfast. The solar panels will reduce the churhes electricity bill by $700 per year and will be officially launched by Bishop George Browning on 26/9/09.
1200 households signed up for the recent solar bulk buy deal on offer across SE NSW. Despite unexpected changes to the Federal Government rebates, 1200 panels will be installed within the next 9 months. As a result of the bulk buy deal, 20 x 2 kWatt community installations will go on within that time period.
Below is the list of 20 Community Buildings that have been pre-approved for a DEWRA grant:
Bega Eco Neighbourhood Development (BEND)
Murrah Community Hall
Moruya Historical Society Museum
Towamba Community Hall
Berrambool Sports Complex
Mongarlow Fire Shed
Cobargo School of Arts Hall
Wyndham Hall Committee
Little Yuin Aboriginal Pre-School
Nardy House Inc
Tanja Community Hall
Candelo Town Hall
Bega Showground Trust
Bega District Volunteer Rescue Squad
Narooma Pre-School
Nerrigundah Agricultural Bureau Inc.
Mollymook surf club
Milton Rural Fire Station
Ulludulla Youth Centre
Kiola Coastal Patrol
There are at least 15 other community installations that missed out on a 2 kWatt system due to sudden and unexpected withdrawal of government rebates. It is hoped that those installations will go ahead, but a smaller system of 1 or 1.5 kWatt will have to be put on. Further information about these community systems will be available in the near future, so stay tuned. Well done to all the community groups and team leaders who made this possible.
Matthew Nott
