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Solar Workshops in Bermagui Feb 13/14/15

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Explore the possibility of installing solar panels and/or batteries with the two suppliers identified by Clean Energy for Eternity Bermagui. On offer are bulk-buy prices for top quality technology.

The companies are Ekonomix, and SunnyAfternoons Solar in association with Reposit Power.

There will be three workshops, on February 13, 14, and 15, starting at 5:30 pm at the Bermagui Country Club (basement meeting room). Each workshop will be limited to 20 households or small businesses and attendance can be booked by email response to Bill Caldicott ([email protected]) indicating first, second and third preference for date. If there is greater demand further workshops will be arranged.

The format will be a general Q and A session followed by one on one interviews with suppliers.

Subjects to be covered will include:

1. Retail power prices.
2. Types of technology.
3. Product specifications and warranties.
4. System design and size to fit your needs.
5. Cost of solar panels and batteries and return on investment.
6. Finance options including low interest loans.

It is recommended that you bring a recent power bill to help with giving you the most appropriate advice on the day.

Disclaimer: The solar suppliers responded to an Expression of Interest from Clean Energy for Eternity Bermagui, but Clean Energy for Eternity Bermagui is not in a position to recommend any particular technology or supplier. Any contracts will be made directly with a supplier.

20171210 Powering the Bega Valley

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If you missed this meeting that was held on Sunday 10 December 2017 at the Bermagui Country Club you can view the presentations click here

The three presentations covered are from

John Walters who spoke on Renewable Energy Options for the Bega Valley

Bill Southwood who described the responses CEFE had received from potential commercial partners and

Jo Lewis who reviewed the options for establishing a community based power company and the prospects for solar gardens.

At the meeting there was also an overview by Bill Caldicott in which he showed how electricity bills are made up and how they can be reduced.

The resolutions passed by those assembled at the conclusion of the presentations are also included.

Download flyer here and agenda here

Tathra Community Solar Farm Performance

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Tathra Community Solar Farm – IMAGINE generating clean and green, renewable power!

The TCSF is a 30kW solar photovoltaic installation at the Tathra Sewerage Treatment Plant. It consists of 120 pollycrystalline 250W Trina solar panels and two 15 kW Fronius Symo 3 phase inverters grid connected. The panel elevation ange is 15 degrees.

In 2014 Bega Valley Shire Council (BVSC) formed a partnership with CEFE to develop one of Australia’s first community solar farms. Through organising multiple events and broader community engagement, CEFE has raised money over many years for local community organisations (e.g. RFS fire sheds, community halls, churches, surf clubs, preschools and a tourist venue) to install solar PV. To further this work CEFE approached Council to develop a joint venture which could be a beacon to other communities around Australia for climate change action. By combining passion and expertise, the Tathra Community Solar Farm project was conceived, built and opened in 2015. The project captures financial savings and reinvests these in other local solar projects – creating a win:win:win for CEFE, Council and the local community.

The project has received fantastic support from the local community and various organisations. Community donors, including local business, helped raise valuable funds for the project, while the Tathra Mountain Bike Enduro event provided significant support and funding to make the project a reality. The NSW Office of Environment and Heritage assisted and Bega Valley Shire Council contributed half of the project cost and project managed the design and construction.

In its first year of operation the savings in electricity costs amounted to $4379 This will be reinvested in further community solar projects.

20100310 Murrah hall goes solar

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he Committee extends a grateful thanks to the wonderful members and other locals who nominated the Murrah as their Community Hall of Choice in the recent Government offer for subsidised solar power units.

Further, the Committee also extends a big, big thank you to the indefatigable Prue Kelly for her efforts in initially getting the ball rolling for the Murrah through her work in Bermigui in bring to our attention and raising awareness of the Govt offer via Pyramid Power and Clean Energy for Eternity. She also consulted, as a point of contact for applicants, providing valuable assistance in the application process. Thanks Prue!

The committee would also like to thank Diana Stewart of Pyramid Power for her support and calm assistance in the liasing and processing of our own application, which, thanks to Derek of Pyramid, also negotiated and received important support from our Council.

Recently, Diana, informed Howard, our Secretary, that the processing of domestic applications was proceeding smoothly, although there is still a wait as the initiative proved to be so immensely popular, our Government brought forward the closing date and stopped offering any more (for the moment). Pyramid still managed to process more than 300 applications on the eve of the deadline.

She went to say that it looks likely the 2Kw solar unit will be installed later this year (maybe even before Member’s Night Sept 12th) and then a bit of a wait until Country Energy connect the unit to the grid. At the moment Pyramid are currently installing units on Community buildings in the southern parts of the shire.

When we are finally connected – we’ll party. And you, our members and supporters, are invited, because, after all, you put it there.