State Offers Free Solar Systems

Up to 3,000 low income households across New South Wales will be offered a free rooftop solar system and installation worth $4,000 thanks to a NSW Government funded trial that will also see participants shave more than $300 a year of their energy bills.

Bellingen Shire Mayor, Cr Dominic King said that our Shire was one of the five areas selected across the state that could apply for the Solar for Low Income Households Trial which is now open for applications.

“For low income households, the cost of buying and installing a rooftop solar system can be prohibitive, so this a fantastic opportunity for homeowners to unlock the savings benefits of rooftop solar generation and gain access clean and sustainable power as well.”

Cr King said Council’s own ongoing solar investment program had produced more than 220kW of free renewable power, the savings from which have been reinvested into Council’s Revolving Energy Fund.

“These savings have been reinvested towards the staged roll out of solar PV systems which have already reduced our carbon emissions by more than 465 tonnes, which equates to 6,708,879 kilometres driven by an average passenger vehicle.”

“We all want to live sustainably and reduce our ecological footprint and contribution to climate change, which is why in March 2019 Council also declared a state of climate emergency and is working towards operationalising our emergency declaration.”

“I encourage our community to find out more about the Solar for Low Income Households Trial because if we all work together to address the impacts of our climate emergency, we’ll ensure our shared vision for the future is realised.”

To find out more about the trial go to https://energysaver.nsw.gov.au/solar-low-income-households