There are many benefits to installing solar panels in your home, from knowing you’re using a clean energy source to lowering your household bills. These benefits, however, are often limited to homeowners, with renters lucking out when it comes to having access to solar. But it seems there may be a solution on the horizon with the introduction of community solar gardens to Australia.
In the latest Energy Consumers Australia Report Card, 67% of Australians believe that the transition to renewable energy will not only benefit the environment, but their local communities, too. The report also found that 59% of Aussies agree it is unfair that renters are far less likely to have access to rooftop solar or battery storage. With positive sentiment on solar usage on the rise in Australia, it’s no wonder that community solar gardens are popping up around the country.
But what is a community solar garden, who has access, and how exactly do they work? In this guide, Canstar Blue breaks down all you need to know about the introduction of community solar gardens in Australia.
On this page:
- What is a community solar garden?
- How does a community solar garden work?
- Where to find community solar gardens in Australia
- Solar gardens in Australia under development
- How do I get my credits from the solar garden put on my energy bill?
- Is there a difference between community solar gardens and social benefit solar gardens?
- What are the benefits of joining a community solar garden?
- Who can participate in a solar garden?
- How much does it cost to join a solar garden?
- Is it worth joining a community solar garden?
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Solar plans and prices
There are some energy plans marketed towards people with solar panels that offer a higher feed-in tariff than standard electricity plans. Below are a handful of these deals that are available in New South Wales, Victoria, South East Queensland and South Australia.
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information. Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information. Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information. Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on SA Power network in Adelaide but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
What is a community solar garden in Australia?
A community solar garden is a collection of centrally located, grid-connected solar PV panels that give multiple households and businesses access to the financial benefits of solar. These solar gardens are often constructed in a viable location within the existing electricity grid and are used to generate clean, renewable electricity that can then be fed into the grid.
With access to a community solar garden, households can purchase or subscribe to a section of the panels in order to access the financial rewards associated with generating solar electricity. Typically, solar gardens are used by those who cannot install solar energy on their own property.
How does a community solar garden work?
A community solar garden is often run by a third-party company responsible for the operation and maintenance of an installed solar panel collection, as well as coordinating with customers of said collection and a local energy retailer. Households with access to the community solar garden can then rent or purchase a selection of the panels within the garden, often referred to as a ‘plot’. You, the ‘solar gardener’, will then receive a bill credit from the partnering energy retailer for whatever the panels generated. Note: you must be with the same energy company your solar garden partners with.
The key thing to note with a solar garden is that you will only receive the financial benefits of solar. As the solar panels from the garden are connected directly to the grid and not to your home, you will not receive a direct supply of solar energy to your property through a solar garden. The idea of a community solar garden is to merely replicate the financial rewards and credits that can be achieved through solar energy generation for people who cannot access solar, usually as a result of renting or high up-front costs.
Where to find community solar gardens in Australia
There are a few active solar gardens in Australia—most notably in NSW’s North Coast Community Housing (NCCH) Solar Garden and Haystacks Solar Garden in the Riverina region.
The North Coast Community Housing (NCCH) Solar Garden
The North Coast Community Housing Solar Garden is a 35-kilowatt (kW) garden located in Lismore, NSW. The solar garden is on the rooftop of the North Coast Community Housing office and is operated by community energy provider Enova Energy.
Classed as a ‘social benefit’ solar garden, the NCCH garden allows residents within social housing to access solar power for no extra cost, as these gardens are entirely funded by donations and community partnerships.
Haystacks Solar Garden
The Haystacks Solar Garden is a community solar garden in Grong Grong in the Riverina region of New South Wales. The electricity provider in partnership with this project is Energy Locals.
It is said to be the first of its kind in Australia, as it is owned and managed by the community. Project partners of this solar garden include community renewables group Pingala, solar developer Komo Energy and community-led energy projects experts Community Power Agency.
Solar gardens in Australia under development
According to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, the Australian Government is investing $100 million into community solar gardens between 2024 and 2026.
Solar gardens NSW
In New South Wales, the federal government is committing $30 million to two solar bank programs. These initiatives will allow renters and low-income households to purchase subsidised plots in solar gardens and provide rebates for apartment buildings to install shared rooftop solar.
Solar gardens Vic
Victoria is benefiting from a $32 million partnership to expand its Solar Homes Program. This joint venture between the federal and state governments, each contributing $16 million, aims to support up to 10,000 apartment residents, including renters, in accessing shared rooftop solar installations.
Solar gardens WA
Western Australia is seeing a substantial $19.9 million investment in shared-solar programs. This partnership between federal and state governments will fund rooftop solar installations for over 400 First Nations households in the Kimberley region and integrate solar into regional town networks, benefiting 1,600 renting and low-income households.
Solar gardens ACT
In the ACT, a $3.6 million partnership is funding the Solar for Apartments Program. This scheme will give shared solar access to over 2,100 apartment households and neighbouring residents. Body corporates can apply for up to $100,000 in funding, split between a grant or rebate and an interest-free loan.
Solar gardens NT
The Northern Territory is set to receive $4.7 million by partnering with the federal government on two shared solar schemes—Solar for Multi-Dwellings Grant Scheme, and Community Solar Share Scheme.
How do I receive credits from the community solar garden on my energy bill?
In order to receive the credits earned from your solar plot on your electricity bill, you will need to be with the energy retailer your solar garden has partnered with. This way, they’re able to track the electricity that has been generated through your plot and reward you bill credits accordingly.
When you join a solar garden, there is usually already an electricity provider in partnership with the garden. This could mean that in order to receive your bill credits, you may need to switch energy providers.
Is there a difference between community solar garden and social benefit solar gardens?
Yes, there is a slight difference between these two solar garden models. With a community solar garden, it is owned by the community, for the community. This means that it is open to local apartment dwellers, renters and small businesses to invest in and gain electricity savings over time without the need to install solar panels on their own roof. Households and businesses under this model will purchase a plot within the solar garden to help them earn solar credits.
With a social benefit model, solar gardens are typically open to charities and low-income households to help them gain access to the financial benefits of solar. These types of gardens are usually available to these groups at no extra cost. Social benefit solar gardens can be funded through donations or community partnerships.
What are the benefits of joining a community solar garden?
There are a few notable benefits to joining a community solar garden. Some of these include:
- Solar energy access without installation: Joining a community solar garden means you can reap the rewards of solar without having to worry about installation. This makes it a great alternative for renters who may not otherwise be able to access solar power.
- Can still access credits even if you move house: Unlike rooftop solar panels which typically can’t be taken with you when you move, solar gardens and their remote set up mean that even when you move homes, you’ll still have access to your solar credits, granted of course, that you can stay with the provider in partnership with your garden.
- System maintenance monitored by someone else: Since solar gardens are usually managed by a third-party company, you won’t have to worry about organising maintenance and servicing for your panels. This should all be taken care of by the company in charge of the solar garden.
Who can participate in a solar garden?
Solar gardens are mostly open to any home or business that can afford to purchase or rent a plot. You’ll just need to be willing to change to the energy retailer that’s partnering with your garden. However, most participants of a solar garden are usually renters or those who cannot otherwise access solar at their current property.
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How much does it cost to join a solar garden?
The cost of joining a solar garden will vary greatly depending on factors such as the size of the garden, how many members can access the garden and whether or not it is a subscription-based or ownership-based model. A subscription-based model may charge a monthly fee, whereas an ownership-based model may require an initial set-up cost when joining. Generally, however, you can expect the cost of joining a solar garden program to be slightly cheaper or comparable to that of installing your own solar system at home.
The Haystacks Solar Garden, for example, uses an ownership-based model, wherein bill-payers purchase and then own the solar panels within their plot. According to the Haystacks Solar Garden website, the cost for one of its 3kW plots is $4,200.
Is it worth joining a community solar garden?
Joining a community solar garden will depend entirely on personal circumstances. If you are a renter or live in a home that isn’t suitable for rooftop solar panels, being able to access a community solar garden can be a great way to reap the financial benefits of solar power generation. The only major consideration is that plots fill up quickly, and they’re not cheap.
However, if you’re purely looking for a way to access solar energy at home, then a solar garden may not be the answer for you, especially if you aren’t looking to or aren’t willing to change your electricity provider to one in partnership with your preferred solar garden.
If you decide that a solar garden isn’t right for your circumstances and you’re able to install your own panel system at home, be sure to check out our latest report below to see which solar installers Aussies have rated best in the business.
Original reporting by Kelseigh Wrigley
Image Source: alexgo.photography/Shutterstock.com
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