Eight southern Sydney councils have banded together to provide residents and small businesses with cheaper solar power from early 2015.
The Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC) will offer the solar plan to residents from eight Sydney councils, including Ashfield, Bankstown, Canada Bay, Canterbury, Kogarah, Leichhardt, Marrickville and Rockdale.
SSROC has approached suppliers of solar PV panels, solar hot water systems and heat pumps for their best offers, which will be independently vetted for good-quality components and long warranties. Suppliers are asked to offer finance and solar leasing, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald.
The scheme will be promoted through the Our Solar Future website to be launched at a community forum where suppliers will pitch their offers.
“Solar leasing is a relatively new option whereby households can purchase the electricity generated from a solar system on their roof rather than having to buy the system,” SSROC program manager Helen Sloan said.
“If they are successful in offering this, it would open up solar to people who previously could not afford the upfront cost, allowing them to save money. It may also prove to be a solution for tenants who want to install solar on their rented property – another group currently largely missing out on this savings opportunity.”
