A new Solar Citizens-commissioned report has shown rooftop solar capacity of social housing in NSW has the potential to reach up to 650 megawatts (MW).
According to a model by the Australian Photovoltaics Institute (APVI) and the University of NSW (UNSW), rooftop solar for social housing in NSW can secure the State’s electricity supply and provide energy bill relief of up to $860 per year per household of some of the NSW’s most vulnerable energy users.
“This is the low-hanging fruit – the Government can decide to roll-out solar for social housing from tomorrow as they own much of the stock themselves, and have willing partners in the not-for-profit community housing sector,” Solar Citizens National Director Heidi Lee Douglas said.
An energy review released by the NSW Government emphasised the need for additional clean and affordable renewable energy in the State as coast-fire power plants like Eraring are approaching the end of their economic lives. The review also noted rooftop solar plays a role in unleashing affordable energy because it can be set up quickly, and the cost savings go directly to households instead of large corporations.
Community housing organisation BaptistCare NSW & ACT and Sydney independent MP Alex Greenwich supported the modelling.
Minister Greenwich said the State Government should maintain its assets and take responsibility for the thermal comfort and the cost of living their tenants face.
“This is yet more evidence that household solar and batteries will provide clean, cheap energy and provide the energy security needed to close old, dirty coal plants like Eraring, saving the NSW government hundreds of millions of dollars each year,” he added.
The Federal Government in April offered states and territories a total of $300 million for energy upgrades to social housing, including home solar and batteries, if they co-contribute. Queensland and Victoria have both committed to contributing to tap into the fund, while several organisations across housing and climate are expecting an announcement from the NSW Government during the state budget on 19 September.
“With limited funding or access to household energy upgrade mechanisms, BaptistCare can’t push forward with installing solar on any of our existing 14 housing sites. We encourage the NSW Government to move promptly and commit to contributing to the Federal Government’s energy upgrades program to ensure community housing providers are not locked out of these essential upgrades,” BaptistCare Community Services & Housing General Manager Robyn Evans said.
According to the Solar Citizens report, a social housing rooftop solar roll-out can generate 769 Gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually. This constitutes about 1.1% of the total annual generation within the National Electricity Market (NEM).
Additionally, the report revealed that a social housing rooftop solar roll-out could offset around 10.6 megatonnes of greenhouse gas emissions throughout its 20-year operational life.
It also noted that a social housing rooftop solar program can create 619 job opportunities for 5 years.
The report also identified Mount Druitt, Liverpool, Fairfield, Campbeltown, and Granville as five State Electoral Divisions with the highest potential for social housing rooftop solar in NSW.
