By Dongyun Kwon
A community radio station has been equipped with a solar panel system.
After receiving a grant from the Federal Government in 2019, Healesville Community Renewable Energy (HCoRE) set up a revolving fund that has helped community organisations install a solar panel system.
The revolving fund is an interest-free loan that the end client can repay with the savings made on their power bills by using the solar panel system.
HCoRE duly installed three systems at Robyn Jane Children’s Centre, Healesville Living and Learning Centre, and St Brigid’s Primary School with the assistance of Yarra Ranges Council.
As the accumulated funds from the previous installations became enough to fund a further system, HCoRE identified Yarra Valley FM (YVFM) as a suitable candidate, which is located in the Healesville Lions Club precinct.
HCoRE technical manager Leo de Jong said three different options were prepared for YVFM by Leeson Group, the installer of the system.
“In the end, the option with 8kW of solar panels plus a battery was selected by YVFM to be able to make best use of the collection and storage of solar energy for the running of radio equipment day and night,” he said.
“The cost of the YVFM system was approximately $20,000. An interest-free repayment system is based on part of the savings made on the electricity bills by the solar system.
“These repayments will eventually accumulate to fund yet another installation, so HCoRE will soon be looking for another community group to take advantage of this interest-free loan with no upfront costs.”
Solar panel system installation was completed in July for YVFM and is now fully operational.
Yarra Valley FM committee member Mark Riddell said the revolving fund is a wonderful idea.
“Other people can benefit from it, and it can be an example for other people to follow,” he said.
