By Derek Schlennstedt
Can the sun power Healesville? Jeff Barlow and members of the Healesville Community Renewable Energy project certainly think so.
Formed in April 2017, Healesville CoRE has brought together community members passionate about the notion of powering their town with 100 per cent renewable energy, with a strong emphasis on solar electric and solar hot water.
Now, Healesville CoRE is holding a community gathering regarding solar energy and the benefits it could bring to the Healesville area.
“I think every place is the perfect place for solar … solar is plentiful, it’s clean, it’s not going to run out in our lifetime and it means we can get away from coal, oil and gas, so the air will be cleaner, the water will be cleaner, and our bills will be cheaper.”
“We want to work locally while thinking globally about preserving our planet and empowering our local community,” he said.
The community gathering held at the Memo on Thursday 29 June will include four guest speakers who will address a variety of different renewable energy technologies and the impact of renewable energy if adopted in Healesville.
“I’m using Healesville because I live in the town, and have been here for 35 years,” Jeff said.
The conversation promises to be an interesting evening and focuses on how communities can be empowered to take control of their own energy consumption.
“There are many possible initiatives that could be embraced by the community,” he said.
“Setting up a micro grid where people with solar energy in excess can sell their energy to others who don’t have solar energy.
“Empowering our local community to reduce its power bills and the production of carbon through the use of clean renewable energy, which in turn also allows more local money to be retain in the local community.”
The evening gathering will be held at the Healesville Memo on Thursday 29 June from 7-9pm, followed by supper provided by the local community bank.
To find out more and register for the meeting, visit www.healesvillecore.org.au.
