The history of the Samford Solar Neighbourhood

Howard Nielsen - Solar Neighbourhood Co-ordinator
Rebecca Stowe - Solar Neighbourhood Project Manager


January 2008

Pine Rivers Climate Action Network publicised a new initiative to sign up 50 households to grid-connected solar power. Samford Valley residents were invited to tackle climate change at the same time as they reduced their energy costs and make Samford Valley one of the first Queensland areas for Solar Neighbourhoods. By purchasing solar panels in bulk, a 1kw solar system will only cost households $499 with the remaining costs covered by the $8000 government rebate.   

February 2008

On Wednesday 13^th February around 250 people crammed into the CWA Hall in Samford  to hear Howard Nielsen outline Pine Rivers CAN's Solar Neighbourhood initiative. Despite the heat Howard did a great job of explaining how the plan will work. 

Beyond Building Energy are to provide the panels, inverters and organise the installation. Pine Rivers CAN will administer the scheme.

At least 100 households signed up on the night with many more signing in the next week or so, bringing the total to 220.  An outcome overwhelmingly better than the originally planned 50!  Howard and Rebecca were inundated by applications and queries for many weeks.


April 2008

Another good turnout for the follow-up meeting on Wednesday 23 April.  This meeting was to present the details of exactly how the finance would be managed and the timescales involved in the installations. 

The next phase was for everyone to complete their application forms and pay the $499 deposit to Beyond Building. House inspections would then be under way within a month or so. Installations should commence within 3 to 6 months.

Samford is really on the "Solar" map. So far there are less than 500 solar households in Queensland, so Samford will increase the total by 50%! A great achievement for Pine Rivers CAN in its first year.

May 2008 - The Budget 

The government decision to means test the rebate payable on solar panel installations was a severe blow to the Solar Neighbourhoods scheme. Not only did it mean that a significant number of the 220 households would not now be able to afford to proceed, but also resulted in a lot of extra administrative work for Beyond Building to fast track some applications in the 2007/8 financial year.

Despite campaigning by Pine Rivers CAN and many other organisations the government refused to back-down or allow exceptions for people who had already signed up.

So the Samford Solar Neighbourhood is down to around 150. A sad day for the climate.

October 2008

All the pre-inspections are complete and we are in the final stages of tidying up loose ends with the DEWHA rebate applications and the trust fund. The solar panels and inverters will be ordered very soon.

It's been a longer process than expected partly due to the extra work as a result of the budget announcement but also because of the large numbers involved.

January 2009

Monday 12th January - the first installation!

The Hopkins residence was the first for the Samford Solar Neighbourhood.
 










The panels look great and are already reducing their standard electricity consumption.

 

 

 

 

The Vayros of Wights Mountain (Drew, Patrick & Hannah - photo by Alexis) are also really pleased with their panels.

 

 

 

 

 

Press articles:

Samford Village Pump ... (25/1/08)

The Westerner: Solar shines the way for Samford 

The Samford Village Pump: Solar panels through the roof

The Samford Village Pump: Solar Power hits the roofs in Samford (23/1/09)

The Westerner: Solar power lights up Samford (27/1/09)

 

 

Part of the crowd of 200 who crammed into the Samford Farmers Hall in late April

 

 

 

 

Howard Nielsen (right) with Ross Growcott (centre) and from Beyond Building energy, from left Mitra, Marisa and Satyaa