MORE than 380 megawatt hours of electricity is being generated annually by solar panels in the Mildura municipality.
Mildura Council said through its Environmental Upgrade Agreements (EUA) program, a total of 280 kilowatts of solar panels had so far been installed on commercial and agricultural properties in the region.
The electricity being generated prevents more than 390 tonnes of carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere each year, the equivalent of taking 80 cars off the road.
An EUA is an agreement in which a financial institution advances funds to a commercial or agricultural property owner for upgrade works that improve their building’s environmental performance.
These funds are then repaid with the property owner’s council rates.
“We’re seeing the impacts of climate change in the record low rainfall and resulting drought that has hit our region,” councillor for environment and farming sustainability Anthony Cirillo said.
“Another implication of climate change is the impact it’s had on harvest times, bringing them forward.
“EUAs offer an affordable way for our commercial and agricultural property owners to do their part to combat climate change.”
Since the first Sunraysia EUA was signed in April last year there have been six more projects in the retail, farming and accommodation sectors, representing more than $300,000 in investment.
In most cases, commercial and agricultural property owners with EUAs get ahead within 12 months as the power cost savings generally cover loan repayments.
To be eligible for an EUA, building owners must pay council rates, ensure the planned works are improvements to non-residential buildings and deliver environmental benefits such as energy, water and waste savings.
Mildura has been one of the most active areas in the state in terms of the take up of EUAs, sitting third behind only Melbourne and Mornington Peninsula Shire.
For details, visit www.mildura.vic.gov.au and search for “environmental upgrade finance”.
