The benefits of a rooftop solar program in the Kimberley are being felt by nearly three times the number of homes with panels installed.
Three years ago Horizon Power started installing rooftop solar systems on what would ultimately be 183 homes in six remote communities, in what was the original ‘solar sharer’ scheme.
The benefits, however, are being felt by 495 households which receive energy-saving credits under the Kimberley Communities Solar Saver (KCSS), according to data shared by Horizon Power.
The original plans for the KCSS estimated the benefits would be shared between just 433 households.
The final installation this month, in Mowanjum which is about 10km south-east of Derby, brings the total generation to approximately 1.5 megawatts (MW) across the six towns.
With some $275,000 in credits now paid out, that data shows households in the first two towns to get rooftop systems, Warmun and Bidyadanga, are receiving about $30-35 a month in credits on their bills, thanks to their solar neighbours.
Horizon Power received slightly more than $17 million in state and federal funding to fit solar panels on rooftops in Warmun, Bidyadanga, Ardyaloon, Yungngora, Beagle Bay, and Mowanjum.
The average size of the rooftop solar systems is 8.2 kilowatts (kW).
“The Kimberley Communities Solar Saver program is demonstrating how shared solar can reduce power bills and improve energy security in remote communities,” said federal assistant energy minister Josh Wilson.
“By helping more households access the benefits of renewable energy, we are ensuring the energy transition is practical, inclusive and delivers real benefits for communities across regional Australia.”
The federal government launched its Solar Sharer scheme in July this year (Victoria followed in October) offering three hours of free power during the day to try and encourage consumers to use more electricity when rooftop solar is swamping the grid.
The KCSS is a different system, sharing credits generated by the rooftop systems.
According to Horizon Power, the most recent 61-day period saw Warmun households receive on average $67, and those in Bidyadanga receive approximately $73.
Since the program commenced, KCSS has delivered approximately $275,000 in customer savings across six Kimberley communities, Horizon Power data shows.
· Warmun – approximately $943 per household
· Bidyadanga – approximately $867 per household
· Ardyaloon – approximately $531 per household
· Yungngora – approximately $377 per household
· Beagle Bay – approximately $333 per household
· Mowanjum – approximately $132 per household
This has also displaced about 122,000 litres of diesel fuel, a reduction of about 7 per cent across the six communities.
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Rachel Williamson
Rachel Williamson is a science and business journalist, who focuses on climate change-related health and environmental issues.
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