A scheme to encourage Gippslanders to buy locally-manufactured solar hot water systems from a Morwell worker-owned cooperative was officially kick-started on Thursday.
Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio was at the Earthworker factory to launch the Gippy Bulk-Buy scheme for locals to purchase cheaper solar systems for their homes.
It includes options for solar panels, batteries, portable solar generators, and solar hot water systems which are being offered at a 20 per cent discount and could shave between 30 and 50 per cent off power bills.
The program is a shot-in-the-arm for Earthworker, which employs six people to build the hot water systems from scratch in the Aussie-first community-owned clean energy factory.
The grass-roots co-op formed almost a decade ago has 1000 supporters across the state.
Earthworker secretary Dan Musil said the co-op was the culmination of the visions of trade unionists and environmentalists over many years.
“This is nothing but a people-powered project – there hasn’t been big investors in this factory,” Mr Musil said.
Latrobe Community Power Hub project officer Chris Barfoot said about 50 people had signed up to the deal since they began running community information sessions last month.
Ms D’Ambrosio was in Moe earlier that day announcing a fund to install solar PV on 30 public buildings and sites in the Latrobe Valley. She said the government was keen to help the Latrobe Community Power Hub roll-out its ideas for local green-energy projects.
The $900,000 program is one of three power hubs operating across Victoria.
“I’m delighted you’ve come together to use a made in Morwell approach, this is always a good thing and today marks these fantastic projects coming to life,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
“Your reputation in the region in the energy sector is a long and proud one, we need to take pride in that and utilise new opportunities in energy technology.”
For more information go to gippybulkbuy.com.au.
