Benalla Community Energy Project (BCEP)

Renewable Energy Benalla 's Community Energy Project (BCEP) provides a repayable loan to kindergartens and other community buildings to cover the up front costs normally involved with  solar panel installation and/or energy efficiency upgrades. 

A donation based, revolving fund has been set up to install solar panels and/or undertake energy efficiency upgrades on community facilities in and around Benalla.  Community buildings can now be provided with interest free loans to fund the work required, with no upfront payment being required, then make repayments to the Benalla Renewable Energy fund based on the savings they would make by having, for example, solar panels on their roo
Using the CORENA 'revolving' model of funding,  a loan is provided to a  first host site  which  then repays the loan based on the savings made by having solar panels on their roof.    These funds  then  become available  to install panels on another building.
Repayments are  paid into a dedicated Benalla Renewable Energy Fund set up by BSFG.  Donations from community members and amounts received from related grants can also be paid into the Benalla Renewable Energy Fund.  
REB's first  Community Energy Project at the Munro Avenue Kindergarten was seeded by a Community Grant of $5000 from the Winton Solar Farm; a significant donation from Sandy and Sue Campbell to start the fund and an in kind contribution of the cost of installation from Solar Gain.    The project was launched by Helen Haines MP in a joyous 'Switch On' celebration at the Munro Avenue Kindergarten on Thursday May 6 2021.  
The second Benalla Community Energy Project recently became a reality, with the installation of Solar Panels at the Bernard Briggs Kindergarten launched on Friday 25 February by Dr Helen Haines, MP.    

​Our revolving fund relies on receiving donations from the community and businesses.  You can also deposit your donation at the Bendigo Bank or online:
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BSB:               633-000
Accounts:    168407500
Reference with your name and email your details to us.

Online:   https://benallacep.raisely.com/

If you use a community building which could benefit from an energy efficiency improvement, please contact us:
E:      [email protected]
www.reb.org.au/community energy project       
Banner: 2021 Benalla Community Energy Project team members - from left - John Lloyd, David Blore, Patricia Brookes and Karen Nankervis - with Member for Indi Helen Haines and contributors to the Munro Avenue Kindergarten Project, May 6, 2021.


Photo:  Solar Panel's being installed by Solar Gain at the Munro Avenue Kindergarten on April 9, 2021.