Support a low income family to put solar on their home!
GIVING POWER is a crowd-funding campaign led by the Bendigo Sustainability Group, to provide fully-funded and installed solar systems to low income families, in the Bendigo area and across the Loddon Mallee region.
ALL businesses, community groups and caring individuals, are invited to contribute:
WHY THIS CAMPAIGN?
According to a report by the Australian Council of Social Services, low income households are disproportionately affected by rising energy costs, with more people struggling to make ends meet. In this, the need for both affordable & sustainable energy options has become increasingly urgent.
This project addresses two key & overlapping issues:
Providing solar systems for households that cannot afford them
Transitioning to cleaner energy sources as critical to our environment
WHAT WILL THE FUNDS BE USED FOR?
The funds raised through the campaign will be used as the homeowners contribution towards the purchase and installation of solar systems on low income homes. The homeowners contribution will then unlock the Victorian Government Solar Home Program funding enabling solar to be installed.
The campaign aims to raise $63,000. These funds, paired with both Federal and State Government rebates will enable solar systems to be purchased and installed on approximately 30 homes.
Once we have successfully delivered this as a small-scale pilot project, we will look to significantly expand the model. Potentially, we could assist hundreds if not thousands of households across the region!
HOW CAN MY DONATION HELP?
All donations are welcome, no matter how big or small.
For example your $60, PLUS Government subsidies will enable the purchase of 1 solar panel on 1 home. Your $240 will provide a set of 3 solar panels plus mounting, and $2,100 will enable an entire 3 kW solar system [valued at approx. $5000].
A 3 kilowatt solar system will help one low-income family save $750 per year on their electricity bill and stop 4.2 tonnes of greenhouse gases from being emitted into the atmosphere. Over the life span of these panels that’s equivalent to planting 470 trees or taking 24 cars off the road for a year.
CONTRIBUTE TO A MORE EQUITABLE AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Approximately 40,000 homeowners in the Loddon Mallee region are classified based on government criteria as "Low" or "Very Low" Income Households – making up 29% of all households. Out of these households, about 4,000 are currently experiencing mortgage stress, which is equivalent to 3% of all households. The City of Greater Bendigo alone has around 1,350 households in this category.
By supporting this project, we can make a significant difference to the lives of these families. The more people who contribute and the more solar systems we install, the more families we can assist. The stronger our message is to the government the better: encouraging them to provide additional funding, expanded clean energy programs and most importantly to hear the powerful message ‘we care about each other and our environment.’
Let’s come together and make clean energy accessible to everyone in our community by paying it forward today!
YOUR DONATION AMOUNTS AND THE IMPACT
YOUR DONATION CAN BE TAX DEDUCTABLE
All donations are administered via the Bendigo Sustainability Group’s Sustain Bendigo Fund. This fund is endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office as an Income Tax Exempt Charity (ITEC) with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. If you would like to receive a full tax receipt please email giving-power@bsg.org.au
Donate via direct debit
If you would like to make a donation to the BSG via direct debit, you can do so via:
Account Name: Sustain Bendigo Fund
BSB: 633 000
Account Number: 135 526 184
SOLAR REBATES: MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
This program maximises existing government subsidies and BSG know-how to ensure ANY funds received WILL achieve the very best value in solar system installs for low income households.
Additional information
HELP UNLOCK GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES FOR THOSE IN NEED:
EVERY $1 YIELDS APPROX $2.4 IN SOLAR SYSTEM VALUE!
For more information refer to:
Federal Government Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STC’s): rebates vary depending on the location and date applied for. These are administered between Federal Government Clean Energy Regulator and the solar installer. Find out more: https://www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/RET/Scheme-participants-and-industry/Agents-and-installers/Small-scale-systems-eligible-for-certificates
Victorian Government Solar Panel (PV) Rebate: rebates are available up to $1,400 and are administered between Solar Victoria and the solar installer. Find out more via: https://www.solar.vic.gov.au/solar-panel-rebate
This project hosted, led and funded by the Bendigo Sustainability Group, is also supported by the Victorian Government’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action through the New Energy Jobs Fund program. Delivery support by Bendigo Community Health Services & communication services by Make a Change Australia.
To find out more get in touch with the team via giving-power@bsg.org.au or 03 5443 5244.
MEET THE HOMEOWNERS
Learn about the homeowners behind the giving power program – read some of their stories here.
DO YOU WORK WITH LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS OR ARE ONE YOURSELF?
There are still places available for low income households to be considered for the program. The full details for getting involved are here.
