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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.   

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 first in early April with a second and Revised Solar and Battery Offer which closed on December 17, 2018.  The take up of the Mondo offers was disappointing, although the engagement of the public in the information sessions clearly reflected community interest in purchasing solar power and may well 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
  • Discussions have been held with Mondo Power  to review the reasons for the failure of Benalla community to take up the solar panel and battery offer made by Mondo Power at the invitation of Renewable Energy Benalla (refer below) .  An evaluation report by Mondo was tabled at the REB May 2019 meeting.  
  • REB, together with BSFG and the Community Energy Project, sponsored a 'Community Energy Forum' at BPACC This forum  introduced the role of Community Energy Retailers and the proposed Community Energy Retailer for north east Victoria to interested members of Benalla's community.  
Business
  • Renewable Energy Benalla partnered with Beyond Zero Emissions to present  a forum 'Repowering Business with Electronic Power' to a small group of regional people on 26  March 2019.   BZE's 'Electrifying Industry Report was presented.  Vanessa Petrie, CEO of Beyond Zero Emissions, travelled to Benalla to present the report, as did speakers from Beechworth Brewery and Brown Brothers.  
Community
  • 'Behind the Meter' Solar Panel Projects: Members of  REB have been investigating the establishment of a Community Energy Project based on donations from the community to provide solar panels for community buildings such as kindergartens.  In order to do this BSFG is in the process of establishing a Benalla Renewable Energy Fund that community members could donate to.  Community buildings would make repayments to this fund based on the savings they would make by having solar panels on their roof.  This would mean that funds would be available to install panels on another building.  
  • Adapting Community Housing in Benalla for Climate Change -  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' has been made with Goulburn Valley Community Energy nominated as the lead organisation to thermally upgrade low income housing by improving draught proofing and insulation to imnprove energy efficiency and thermal comfort . If the application is successful GVCE will handle the financial aspects.  The submission involves 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.  In Benalla we will focus on houses managed by Beyond Housing. Announcement of successful grant submissions will be made by the end of May.