“Murchison Goes Solar” Community Action Towards Sustainability Working Group: Geoff Lodge & Yvonne Forrest (Convenors) Ian Christoe (Publicity Officer) Rob French, Marty Morris, Guido Vazzoler, Matt Barden Des Whitfield, Jane Bower/Carol McMillan

Murchison Goes Solar Community Action Towards Sustainability Launch Thursday 11 December Community Centre Murchison Agenda 7:30pm -9:00pm Welcome ( acknowledge COGS hall sponsorship) Geoff Lodge Background to Dhurringile & District Landcare Group IncJohn Laing Introduction to the Murchison Goes Solar projectGeoff Lodge Braemac package - 1kW photovoltaic solar system Rodney Black, Stephen Cook, Sean Cullum, Dean Wallace Schedule for PV grant registration, contracts and paymentsGeoff Lodge General questions Door prize Supper & Registrations

Solar Power Components Inverters PV solar panels

Progress since last public meeting 22 residential homes expressed interest to proceed with project investigation (last meeting) Established project team of 9 (last meeting) Revised project name/sought further funding/project governance. Dhurringile & District Landcare group Inc accepted full management responsibility for MGS project Developed specification for EOI quotes 16 solar companies were invited to submit an EOI Braemac Energy was selected as the preferred company Called public meeting with selected supplier & invite sign up  Murchison & Numurkah

Murchison Goes Solar Disclaimer "Murchison Goes Solar, under the auspices of the Dhurringile & District Landcare Group Inc, and following a competitive process, established the link between provider and potential purchasers to obtain an advantageous price for purchasers. Murchison Goes Solar will not be involved further in any arrangements between the purchasers and the provider and is not responsible in any way for performance of any contracts that may result. Murchison Goes Solar has been involved in a voluntary capacity in the negotiation with the intent to lower the carbon footprint in our region and has not gained financially from that involvement"

Solar Homes & Communities Plan Government Rebates (Dept. of Environment Water Heritage & the Arts) Residential Rebate scheme Household annual taxable income below $100,000 may be eligible for a up to $8,000 PV system must be designed and installed at the principal place of residence NEW SYSTEM: Up to 1 $8/w up to 1,000w ($8,000 rebate) UPGRADE EXISTING SYSTEM: Current PV systems can be upgraded to a max. size of $5/w up to 1,000w ($5,000 rebate) Community Buildings scheme A competitive scheme with an educational element 50% rebate for the cost of a 2 kW PV system Larger PV systems allowed although component not funded Schools eligible through the National Solar Schools plan

Photovoltaic Panel system Braemac fixed cost for a 1kW Photovoltaic (PV) solar panel system grid connected with a 1kW converter $10,337 Less government rebate ($100K means test) $8,000 Surrender Renewable Energy Certificate $ 817 Sub Total $1,520 Plus Powercor reverse meter, installation & certification$330 Total$1,850 Refer to the schedule of rates for variations Serviceable life: PV Panels have a 25 year warranty Inverters have a 3 year warranty (optional 5 year)

How much power does a 1kW Braemac Energy system produce? 1kW system in Northern Victoria will produce approximately: 4-5 kWhr/day 1,750 kWhr/year $280/yr reduction on power bill Victorian nett feed-in tariff pricing (proposal)  $0.60/kW nett (ie surplus to household use). To be resolved shortly for implementation in January  Not all power distributors accept a feed-in tariff (Origin, Country Energy & Red do) Payback period is approximately 6.5 years surplus power goes into grid & reverses meter assume cash payment/fixed power price Will be quicker with gross feed in tarrif, higher tarrif or increase in power price

Schedules Registration for Government Solar Rebate  Applications will be accepted tonight and processed for dispatch by registered mail to Canberra by COB Friday 12 December  Payment of $100 required on registration (fully refundable)  Applications will also be Murchison Bakery on Friday morning between pm  Subsequent applications can be sent via post & will be processed and dispatched within 5 working days. The Braemac package price presented tonight is fixed until 31 Jan Braemac Energy will provide a customised quote Deposit payment of $900 required at signing of contract Final payment required within 14 days of PV system fully installed, operational and accredited by Powercor and Federal Government solar grant