hurstbridge community energy solar feasibility study: bendigo bank
Case Study: Identifying the sweet spot where community energy is feasible
Wave Consulting Australia worked closely with Bendigo Bank to complete a feasibility study of a new community energy facility on the fringe of Melbourne in collaboration with Clean Energy Nillumbik (CEN).
Solar feasibility study
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung lands, Hurstbridge, Melbourne
Key facts
Large roofs could host a 99.9 kW solar system
Community engagement key to success
The problem
Wave Consulting Australia worked closely with the Bendigo Bank to complete a feasibility study of a new community energy facility on the fringe of Melbourne. Both large and small-scale systems were looked at, and options for partnering with local farmers and schools. Bendigo Bank was always driven by responding to community concerns and interests and made sure the solution involved some kind of partnership model.
Community energy is a concept whereby the local community become the owners and financiers of small to large renewable energy systems. But who owns what? How do I buy this energy, and for what price? And is there a dividend or a discount on your bill? The purpose of this project was to work through some of these answers.
Wave Consulting Australia determined there is a sweet spot where community energy is feasible, particularly with small scale assets (up to 99.9 kW), and the energy and financial analysis was completed to prove how this works.
“Wave completed an exceptional piece of work for our community bank with the aim of exploring community solar options, bringing a high degree of professionalism, expertise and innovation and understanding of community issues to this project. They delivered this work on time and under budget.”
The solution
As a result of the feasibility study, Wave Consulting Australia determined that a community energy model is feasible and can be scaled with minimal barriers and risks.
Recommendations proposed were to engage with local landowners with large roofs to identify newly built buildings that could host a 99.9 kW solar system, establish a new entity to facilitate community energy projects, and consider how to engage with other parties and local governments.
The outcome
The final report presented by Wave Consulting Australia provided in-depth cost analysis around several different options and configurations for the installation of a solar farm and/or battery.
This allowed the local Valley Finance corporation to further their understanding around the implementation of a community based photovoltaic energy platform.
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