Some community facilities in Northern Grampians Shire may look a little bit different, with a set of solar panels installed onto two buildings.
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The solar installations have been added as part of the Victorian Government's $9.2 million Solar on Public Buildings Program.
The installation has occurred at the Great Western Public Hall and Paradise Hall Reserve as the state government announced two installs have been completed by certified solar installers in the region.
Member for Western Victoria, Jaala Pulford, said solar panels are already popping up across the region with more than 300 public buildings to receive the upgrades as part of the program.
"It is a terrific outcome for communities, the environment and our hardworking volunteer committees who are the backbone of our small communities across Northern Grampians Shire," she said.
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"It is wonderful to see so many local volunteer committees of management benefiting from a program that helps them reduce costs and helps us tackle climate change," she said.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D'Ambrosio said the program showed the state government's committed to reducing carbon emissions.
"This is a great example of how we're delivering real action on climate change in regional Victoria by investing in local projects that will help communities build thriving and sustainable futures," she said.
"Our strong investment in renewable energy and solar panels is creating local jobs, reducing power bills and helping us achieve our ambitious emissions reduction targets."
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An energy monitoring module will be integrated into the design to monitor solar system performance in real time and battery installations will be considered for some sites.
The program was first trialled in Gippsland from 2017 to 2019 and led to solar systems being installed on 69 public buildings on public land, reducing power bills by an average of 81 per cent.
The Solar on Public Buildings Program covers the cost of site assessments and the supply and installation of solar power PV systems on public buildings managed by volunteers on DELWP managed Land.
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