Lisa Chesters (Bendigo, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The latest edition of MASH, Mount Alexander Solar Homes, is great news. Another 680 solar panels were delivered to Castlemaine last Tuesday, with the number of solar panels delivered to MASH totalling 2,101. Once installed, which will happen by Christmas, over 525 kilowatts of extra solar power will be generated on the rooftops of homes in the Castlemaine area. This is great news—an example of how the Mount Alexander communities are well on their way to power themselves. Solar energy just makes sense. The people of Castlemaine have got together to form a co-op, working with local installers and local industries to literally power themselves. It is not just homeowners who are getting involved. Renters are starting to work with their landlords to ensure that they too are part of the program. One particular renting couple talked to their landlord and agreed that they would pay an extra $25 a week in rent towards the solar panels. This would help pay off the solar panels over the next five years. It would reduce their electricity cost by over $25 a week. It just makes sense. I congratulate the community of Castlemaine for getting on with powering themselves.

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