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REB members interested in Solar and Community Energy are concerned to change the source of energy produced, particularly through promoting the installation of local roof top solar on community buildings, residential buildings and businesses.

Community
  • 'Behind the Meter' Solar Panel Projects on community owned buildings :  Renewable Energy Benalla’s long-term interest in ‘behind the meter’ schemes has been translated into action through the establishment of  the Benalla Renewable Energy Fund, a dedicated Benalla Community Energy Project (BCEP) team, and appropriate governance procedures. 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 roof.  These funds would be available to install panels on another building.  BCEP’s first project, the installation of solar panels at Munro Avenue Preschool, was completed and launched on May 6, 2021.   The BCEP team is now directing their energies towards fundraising for their next ‘behind the meter’ community energy project -- the Bernard Briggs Kindergarten.       
Helen Haines MP 'Switching on' the Munro Avenue Kindergarten Community Energy Project, 6 May 2021
  • Adapting Community Housing in Benalla for Climate Change -  is of continuing interest to Renewable Energy Benalla.  The Victorian Community Climate Change Adaptation Grants (3CA Grants) program aims to support practical projects focused on adaptation activities with clear community benefit. . A joint application for $100,000 titled 'Adapting Community Housing for Climate Change' was made with Goulburn Valley Community Energy as the lead organisation to thermally upgrade low income housing by improving draught proofing and insulation to improve energy efficiency and thermal comfort.  The submission involved conducting assessments of 50 houses owned or managed by community housing organisations, 25 in Benalla and 25 in Goulburn Valley, and then carrying out retrofits of those houses.
 Residential 
  • In 2018 REB partnered with Mondo Energy in presenting  two proposals for bulk buying of solar panels, monitoring systems and eventually batteries, and the establishment of microgrids, to the Benalla community. The take up of the Mondo offers was disappointing, although the engagement of the public in the  sessions  reflected community interest in purchasing solar power and may  have led to increased involvement with other companies in the area. 
REB/Mondo Power Battery Ready Solar Bulk Buy offer explained - BPACC April 10
REB/Mondo Power Battery Ready Solar Bulk Buy offer explained - BPACC April 22
  • REB co-sponsored  a 'Community Energy Forum' in August 2018 to  introduce the proposed Community Energy Retailer for NEVictoria to  Benalla's community.  
Business
  •  Vanessa Petrie, CEO of Beyond Zero Emissions, presented BZE's 'Electrifying Industry Report' at a REB/BZE forum  'Repowering Business with Electronic Power'   in March  2019   Speakers from  Beechworth Brewery and Brown Brothers also presented.  
  • Request from Geoff Lodge, Goulbourn Valley Community Energy - April 2020
    Geoff Lodge has requested/suggested that REB could be involved in helping GVCE install larger PV systems on factories in Benalla.   This is to be followed up.