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Farming the Sun... for Energy, Heating, Cooling & Sustainability
Farming the Sun is a unique community-scale
solar & sustainable energy initiative that has been
a significant contributor to the massive uptake in
solar energy in the New England Region. It is
coordinated by Starfish Enterprises to address the
priority for 'a new energy future' identified in the
New England Sustainability Strategy, or NESS.
90% OF NSW ELECTRICITY IS COAL-FIRED
Climate change is one of many drivers for this
work. So too environmental & public health ~ coal
undermines agriculture, biodiversity & affects air
quality.
'New energy' is about stronger
regional economies & communities
all around the world are organising
themselves to establish smart &
distributed energy systems ~
meaning local energy such as solar
& wind farms, micro-generation on
homes, sustainable hot water,
thermal heating & cooling, plus
energy efficiency.
In mid 2008, at the same time as
work was beginning on NESS, the high
community profile of sustainability created
sparked interest from AusEnergy, a boutique solar
power company who had been prototyping a
community 'bulk-buy' model in Beaudesert,
Queensland. AusEnergy contacted Adam
Blakester, NESS Convenor, & suggested a similar
initiative could work for New England.
LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS, NETWORKS & CHAMPIONS
Dozens of local organisations & community
leaders assessed the opportunity. A new network
of partners formed to make it happen.
By November 2008 the first phase of Farming the
Sun was launched by Richard Torbay MP & the
first fifty solar power systems were taken up in
less than 7 days ~ doubling the amount of solar
power in the Region in only a week. The prices
were a mere 1/ 3rdof the previous retail cost in the
New England.
$4M+ GREEN ECONOMY & THREE DOZEN TRADESPEOPLE
SKILLED UP
Local training and capabilities are key to work in
the growing 'green economy' opportunities.
AusEnergy provided training for Howard's
Electrical, Rory Cahill Electrical & a team of young
graduates from the Iron Man
Welders initiative.
While $4m of solar systems
installed through Farming the Sun
has created significant local 'green'
jobs & business, the $10-20Bn in
new projects anticipated to the
region as part of the NSW
Government's Renewable Energy
Precinct underlines the importance
of creating local industry.
QUALITY SOLAR HOT WATER LAUNCHED
At the same time local resident and economist Liz
Gardiner had been researching a solar hot water
'group buy', confirming how important high
quality technology was to sustainability ~
particularly to meet the demanding cold climate of
Australia's only high country city-region.
Endless Solar became the second Industry
Partner for Farming the Sun. ~ the clear leader
from a field of ten local & national suppliers
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considered. Endless Solar supplied their high
quality evacuated tube solar hot water system at
1/3rd off retail price & trained more than two
dozen local plumbers & installers ~ including
Hone's Plumbing & Air Conditioning and
Schumacher Plumbing.
New community champions also came on board ~
Tony Windsor MP officiated the second stage
launch with support from Senator Christine Milne
of The Australian Greens. Other local champions
included Mayors Peter Ducat & Mark Dusting, &
Aboriginal Elder Steve Widders.
3.5MILLION KILOGRAMS OF CO2 SAVED PER
ANNUM ALREADY
Nearly 180 solar power systems have been
installed, some with trackers, & the largest
being a 30kW solar farm. Plus 110 solar
hot water systems are in place saving the
equivalent of 110 family cars in CO2 per
year.
Country Energy data shows that in just two
years the number of solar power systems
in the Region has grown by 500% & the
power being generated by 700%. Plus four new
solar companies mean the community is well on
its way to becoming a Solar Region.
NAVIGATING CHALLENGES ~ A KEY TO SUCCESS
The renewables industry is new and dynamic.
Three rebate changes, the early removal of the
$8,000 solar power rebate & the early cancellation
of the Green Loan undermined community
understanding & confidence. Volatile prices for
Renewable Energy Certificates & their
questionable environmental impact only made
things harder.
The local partner network have navigated these
stormy seas ~ with changes made to the NSW
Solar Bonus Scheme led by Richard Torbay
proving our local capability & influence.
SOLAR THERMAL AIR HEATING & WOOD SMOKE
Following a year of research the SolaMate solar
thermal air heating & cooling system was selected
and launched in July 2010 ~ at wholesale prices.
This award-winning technology is very energy
efficient & will also help tackle the serious public
health issue of wood smoke. Local training was
again provided & the first ten installations are are
being monitored to measure their impact.
LONG TERM BENEFITS & A COMMUNITY OWNED
WIND FARM
1% of project budgets are being invested
into new sustainability initiatives. The first
was the inaugural YOUth LEADing
Australia Congress in 2009 ~ one of six
held in Australia ~ & over a dozen
locations for 2010.
Next is a feasibility study for a community
owned wind farm with the potential to
power 3-6,000 homes ~ a big opportunity for the
New England to step up & become one of
Australia's first sustainable regions.
To find out more about highly affordable solar &
sustainable energy go to
http://ness.wikidot.com/farming-the-sun or
contact:
Liz Gardiner | Coordinator | 6778-7249 |
lizgardiner1@hotmail.com
Adam Blakester | Convenor | 6775 2501 |
adam@starfishenterprises.org
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