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REB is  working to expand the installation of local roof top solar on community buildings, residential buildings and businesses and to encourage the use of  solar  electric  vehicles in the Benalla community

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 and  repayments to the Benalla Renewable Energy fund based on the savings made by having  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.   
Helen Haines MP 'Switching on' the Munro Avenue Kindergarten
​Community Energy Project, 6 May 2021
  • BCEP's second project, the installation of solar panels at the Bernard Briggs Kindergarten was launched by  Dr Helen Haines MP on Friday 25 February 2022.
  • Adapting Community Housing in Benalla for Climate Change - . 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 included conducting assessments of 25  houses  in Benalla owned or managed by community housing organisations.
 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.  Although the  take up of the Mondo offers was disappointing, the engagement of the public in the  sessions  reflected community interest in purchasing solar power. 
REB/Mondo Power Battery Ready Solar Bulk Buy offer explained - BPACC April 10 and 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.  
 


​Banner - Solar Gain workers installing panels on the Munro Avenue Kindergarden, April, 2021.