A local disability service provider in Ballarat is set to save thousands on their power bills thanks to a new solar system.

The Andrews Labor Government has partnered with Ballarat Community Power Hub to deliver a cost-saving solar system to power the McCallum Disability Services, Disability Industries factory in Ballarat.

The 40-kilowatt system was made possible thanks to a $49,500 Labor Government grant as part of the Renewable Communities Program, which will save the business around $8,000 dollars off their electricity bill a year.

The electricity savings will go directly back into the community through the McCallum Disability Services employment program.

This solar installation will also fully offset the factory’s annual power consumption, which will result in a 95 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

The $1.1 million Renewable Communities Program has provided grants to nine projects across the state that support community-owned renewable energy projects and the local groups and associations delivering them.

This includes community solar and battery storage initiatives, smart grid technology and bioenergy projects. The Program is part of the Government’s $20 million New Energy Jobs Fund, which is creating jobs and supporting clean energy throughout Victoria.

The Government is putting more clean energy into the grid, increasing investment and driving down energy prices, and is increasing Victoria’s Renewable Energy Target (VRET) to 50 per cent by 2030.

The VRET is part of the Government’s ongoing work to help Victorian families take back control of their energy costs – with Solar Homes delivering solar panels to 700,000 homes, solar hot water systems to 60,000 homes and solar batteries to 10,000 homes over the next 10 years.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“Centres like McCallum Disability Services are the lifeblood of local communities – we’re proud to be helping support projects that help them bring down their costs.”

“We’re helping communities use the skills and expertise they already have to develop renewable energy projects.”

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“Ballarat is embracing renewable energy and the benefits are obvious – McCallum Disability Services is leading the way in showing other organisations how to drive down their power costs.”

Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle

“It’s fantastic to see this great local organisation taking charge of their energy bills – this means that McCallum Disability Services can direct more funding right back into the community.”