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Renewable energy

With electricity price increases as well as environmental concerns more households and businesses are choosing to use electricity from renewable sources like the wind and sun.

Rooftop solar power

Join over 2 million households across Australia which have solar power systems installed, and saving money on their energy bills.

Solar power is getting significantly cheaper with the cost of technology dropping sharply in recent years. A 5kW may set you back around $4-8k nowadays, and pay itself back in as little as 4 years with long-term savings on energy bills.

Rooftop solar power systems have more than tripled in our Waverley community over the last 2 years, and continue to increase. Council currently has various solar power systems on its major sites.

We're also helping schools, clubs and community organisations as well as apartment buildings to navigate a path to installing solar power.

Do I need Council approval to install a solar power system?

Most solar systems do not require Council approval. You may need a planning permit if you live in a heritage overlay area, particularly if the solar panels are visible from the street.

Find out more by speaking with our Duty Planner at the Customer Service Centre, 55 Spring St, Bondi Junction, between 8:30am and 5:00pm, Monday to Friday, or by phoning 8305 8484.

Alternatively, you may call 9083 8000 for free heritage-related advice.

Buy GreenPower

If you are a renter, or your home or business rooftop is unsuitable for a solar power system (or isn't affordable), you can still choose renewable energy by buying GreenPower through your current electricity retailer or another.

GreenPower is a government accreditation program that enables your energy provider to purchase renewable energy on your behalf.

When you choose to buy a GreenPower product, the few cents extra you pay in addition to your electricity account each day is invested in renewable energy, such as solar, wind and bioenergy. So you’re helping to invest in a more sustainable future instead of continuing to rely on electricity being sourced from the burning of finite fuels such as coal.

You can also buy GreenPower for events such as corporate functions, parties or weddings.

Contact your electricity retailer to find out what GreenPower Products they offer.

Community-owned solar

What about those of us living in apartments or renting? How can we access the benefits of solar? Community-owned solar projects are starting to fill this gap.

There are many different models for community solar projects. The underlying principle is that a collective of individuals and businesses build and own a solar generation facility, and they eventually receive their money back via shares or reduced energy bills.

To see examples of community-owned solar in action, like Pingala.

If you know of a good roof-space for a community-owned solar project in Waverley, we’d love to hear from you. Simply email us.

For more information

• Check out Clean Energy Council's consumer guide for installing solar
• Visit the Australian Energy Foundation for more information, or to request an obligation-free quote from a pre-vetted solar installer
• Visit our calendar for any relevant information sessions
• Simply email us