We believe that local, people-powered clean energy projects can bring social, environmental and economic benefits to communities across Australia.
Since 2011, we’ve supported over 50 community energy groups across Australia to take control of their energy future by developing and delivering their own clean energy projects. We advise on the technical, economic, environmental, and social dimensions of community energy, ensuring that projects are viable and impactful across all areas.
Community Energy involves a community coming together to initiate, develop, operate, own and/or benefit from a renewable energy or energy efficiency project. Projects vary by technology, size, structure, governance and funding options. They grow from the diverse needs intersts and available resources of a local community (or community of interest) and might be anything from solar panels on a school roof, to a small wind farm on the edge of town, to a micro hydro system owned by two nearby townships. It’s safe to say community energy projects come in all shapes and sizes, but the key part is – these projects created for the community, by the community.
Community Energy brings the environmental benefits of renewable energy with the social benefits of doing things together. It also presents an economic opportunity for communities across Australia, particularly in regional areas, to create a steady income stream to support regional economies and fund community development. It enables renters and apartment owners to participate in the benefits of solar energy, even if they don’t own an appropriate roof space. It is also a key way communities can cut carbon emissions and become more energy self-sufficient.
Community energy is about bringing people together, doing it ourselves and creating collective benefits for all. Community Energy enables communities to:
Decarbonise our energy supply through using renewable energy
Decentralise our local energy supply
Democratise our energy governance through community ownership and participation
Demonstrate that renewable energy works and brings lasting benefits
Haystacks Solar Garden is Australia’s first large-scale solar garden, providing anyone who is locked-out of rooftop solar with the opportunity to participate in (and benefit from) the transition to renewable energy.
Launched in April 2024, the project is hosted by the 1.5MW Grong Grong Solar Farm in NSW Riverina. Members purchase a solar ‘plot’ and then receive credits on their electricity bills, enabling them to benefit from solar power without needing to own a sunny, suitable roof.
Here’s some resources to get you started.
Community Power Agency is proud to partner with the ABC series Fight for Planet A: Our Climate Challenge and is featured in the Community Solutions Plan.
