City Council is investigating how a “bulk buy” community renewables program, to supply and install affordable renewable solutions, may work in the Mount Gambier community.


The Community Renewables Program would include the supply and installation of solar panels, batteries, electric vehicle charger solutions, delivery of low or no interest finance, and the capacity for joining a virtual power plant (VPP).


Taking a leaf from Adelaide’s Mitcham Council, which introduced a community bulk buy initiative in 2022, City Council wants to replicate Mitcham’s successful program.


A report by Environmental Sustainability officer Aaron Izzard on the Community Renewables Program was tabled for discussion at council’s October monthly meeting.


According to Mr Izzard, benefits of the program include easing the cost of living pressures.


“Two of the main aims of the program are to reduce household electricity costs, and increase the utilisation of renewable energy,” he said.


“The bulk buy program assists residents with easing the cost of living pressures, through saving money on electricity bills.


“The program reduces negative impacts on the environment from fossil fuelled electricity production, through replacing this electricity with renewable solar energy.”


Mr Izzard said local businesses could also participate in the program.


“Local businesses could also participate … reducing electricity costs and thus contributing to business growth,” he said.


Mitcham Council and ShineHub supplied council with a guide including set up, review and roll out of the program.


“The City of Mitcham wanted to increase the uptake of solar power in their community, and also in their own operations,” Mr Izzard said.


In order to offer a program for the community they released a tender for an organisation to provide community solar.


“The intent was to develop a bulk buy program, so residents could get a solar system for a more cost-effective price, with no financial involvement from council,” Mr Izzard said.


Mitcham Council assembled an expert panel to assess the submissions, and ShineHub was chosen as the preferred supplier.


“One of the main reasons they were chosen was because they were the only organisation who could deliver community renewables,” Mr Izzard said.


As part of the program there was no upfront cost to residents.


“The system was paid for from the savings made on the household electricity bill. Also, there was no financial involvement from Mitcham Council,” Mr Izzard said.


“Council’s involvement included lending their trusted brand to the program and assisting with facilitating community meetings about the initiative.”


Since 2022 Mitcham Council has run three community bulk buys, reaching over 4000 residents and resulting in over 900 households signing up for solar panels, batteries and joining a virtual power plant.


“The carbon emission reductions from the solar panel systems are 1700 tCO2e which is the equivalent of taking 405 petrol-powered vehicles off the road for one year,” Mr Izzard said.


“Collectively households have saved over $2m off their energy bills, easing cost of living pressures.”


The program is being managed by ShineHub, who are also running Community Renewables Programs at City of Charles Sturt, City of Marion and Campbelltown City Council.


“City of Charles Sturt mimicked the Mitcham Council model, but went direct to ShineHub to rollout their community renewables program,” Mr Izzard said.


“As there was no cost to council there was no tender process – though they did sign an MoU on how they would work together.”


Mr Izzard said if the program is of interest, then City Council can follow the steps outlined in the ‘Council Toolkit for Community Solar Programs’ guide.


Set up would involve generating interest and buy-in from council and community, determine procurement process and release tender.


The review would involve establishing an assessment panel, review submissions and sign contract.


The rollout phase would include selecting dates of the first solar bulk-buy, Mayor and councillors assist in promoting the program at community information events and the program supplier runs the rollout.


Prior to the monthly meeting, elected members participated in a workshop in September to gain better understanding of the program.


Following discussion at the October meeting, elected members agreed to council staff making contact with ShineHub to ascertain how such a program may work in Mount Gambier.



Click here for a video explaining how the program works.