The town of Shepparton is the number one ‘solar power’ town in Victoria. A recent report from Australia’s renewable energy regulator shows that almost one home in 11 in the Greater Shepparton area is run by solar power.
The regulator also shows that there has been a significant increase in solar power usage in the past 12-18 months, particularly in middle and low-income areas. The economic benefits of solar power, such as reduced electricity bills, are thought to be the cause of this - more so than an increase in environmental awareness
Drouin, Rosebud, Bendigo and Echuca are not far behind Shepparton in solar energy usage, and Melbourne’s west and northwest suburbs also have high solar power figures. Almost one in every 13 homes in Altona use solar power, and Hoppers Crossing, Caroline Springs, and Epping are also big solar power suburbs.
Solar energy is a priority on another Victorian country town too. Newstead, and its small population of approximately 500 people, is aiming to be the first in Australian to run off 100 per cent renewable energy. The town’s Renewable Newstead campaign began in 2008, after residents expressed a desire to address the town’s energy needs. The campaign focuses on renewable energy and so far 160 houses in the town have undergone home energy assessments.
