Geelong Sustainability is a dynamic and passionate community group focused on sharing information, building community resilience, advocating for the environment, and supporting effective action. Action on climate change is their top priority and they play a lead role in connecting with people and organisations to implement practical solutions.

After a 2014 supporter survey identified large-scale, community-owned solar energy as a key objective, the group secured a government grant for a scoping study and business case for a replicable community solar investment model. This led to another grant to create the legal structures required for the project. The incorporated company, CORE Geelong One Pty Ltd was launched in early 2018 and fully subscribed in 10 days, raising $150,000 from 20 community investors!

These funds were used to install a 156kW solar system at CORE’s first host site, the Geelong Multicultural Aged Care Services (MACS), who signed a ten-year lease with the company. When the lease expires, the solar system will be transferred to MACS. The output of the installation is significantly exceeding expectations and providing cheap, zero-emissions energy to the lessee and an attractive rate of return to the community investors.

The model is low risk, win-win and replicable, providing a viable avenue for community investment in local renewable energy projects. As pioneers in this field, the group has learnt much from the project, such as the legal aspects of setting up a company, insurance costs and the broad range of skills, knowledge and expertise needed to support the endeavour. They have shared their insights and resources with several groups looking to implement similar projects.

The CORE model has become an iconic win-win-win project which offers step-change in community-led renewable investment. It has created a new paradigm, which sees the benefits of low cost, zero-emissions electricity shared locally, between the user and their community.

Call to Action

This is the crucial decade for bold climate action. The solutions exist, so we just need to establish ambitious regional targets and work collaboratively to achieve them. There's enormous passion, commitment, and expertise within our community. We encourage people to come forward and we call on all levels of Governments to help facilitate our region's fast and fair transition to a clean energy, circular economy.

IMAGE: Multicultural Aged Care Services, Roof Top Solar System