Community Energy groups who are thinking or planning to install community solar energy systems face a barrage of changing dynamics such as the latest RET status; regulatory changes; reductions in the costs of solar panels and inverters; new creative financing approaches and other matters.
Nonetheless, going by recent media reports, it seems there are new solar, or renewable energy projects being announced almost every week — in NSW, let alone the rest of Australia, and the world.
As reported by Giles Parkinsonn over at RenewEconomy, some of the recent projects and initiatives announced include:
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Five NSW towns bid to be Australia’s first zero net energy town
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SEXI solar proposal: 32 NSW councils team up for major solar projects
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Lismore City Council aims for 100 per cent renewables by 2023
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How a NSW community solar project raised $120k in 10 days
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NSW injects extra $700,000 into community renewable projects
as well as
A question that is pertinent in this fast-moving space is: “who does one call to learn of the latest modeling, financing structures, and related issues, if one seeks to install a large solar system in the community?”
If we seek to avoid “reinventing the wheel” and to adopt latest best practices, is there anyone (within NSW) that is keeping abreast of these issues?
The Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) is one NSW State Government department that is active in this area.
I’ll update this post when more information comes to hand.
Steve Pirie
Member, Bathurst Community Climate Action Network