Solar saving business venture in the spotlight

Published on 08 November 2021

Maribyrnong City Council is looking to the power of the sun as a way to potentially reduce over reliance on rates revenue while also reducing negative environmental impacts to help address the climate emergency.

Mayor, Cr Michael Clarke, said there are a number of innovative solar and sustainable energy projects options that could bring both environmental and revenue benefits to Council.

This includes community battery projects, such as one in Yackandandah – Victoria’s first behind the meter community-owned solar and battery system which is capable of providing clean energy to up to forty local households. Similarly, the City of Melbourne will soon be piloting neighbourhood scale battery energy storage systems designed to generate up to five megawatts of electricity by 2024.

“Such schemes bring many potential benefits – not just in reduced power bills but also in assisting communities and businesses transition to renewable energy use, raise revenue, employment and research and development,” Mayor Clarke said.

Such a venture would further reinforce Council’s commitment to reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and impact of CO2 emissions on the climate. It has already installed 2,157 solar panels on 32 Council buildings totalling 614w capacity – the equivalent to powering 123 homes, saving 1,000T CO2e per annum and producing 2.5 MWh of electricity per day

Council has entered into a power purchasing agreement, with 46 other councils, to draw 100% renewable energy from two Victorian windfarms from 1 January 2022.

Mayor Clarke said Council recognises the complex volatile energy market is not without risk. “This would need to be weighed against the ability to off-set power bills and provide power security and potentially also raise revenue.”

Council has asked for a report next April outlining the solar and sustainable energy project options available before making any decision on whether to progress to a feasibility study inclusive of commercial and legal due diligence and an assessment of risk on any of the options.