Remote Kimberley households are saving on energy bills under a rooftop solar program jointly funded by the Western Australian and federal governments.
Rooftop solar systems have been installed in the remote communities of Warmun and Bidyadanga as part of Horizon Power‘s Kimberley Communities Solar Saver (KCSS) program. Work in a third community, Ardyaloon, is underway.
The program, a collaboration between Horizon Power and the Department of Communities, is delivering on a just energy transition by enabling remote communities that were locked out of the benefits of rooftop solar to access renewable energy and save on energy bills.
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The program was announced in November 2023 as part of broader activities being funded by a $12.6 million investment from the state government and $7.3 million from the federal government, under their Community Solar Banks program.
The program started in Warmun, with Horizon Power installing 422kW of rooftop solar, resulting in lower energy bills for all residents and reducing reliance on expensive diesel generators.
While not all homes in Warmun have been fitted with a solar system, the benefits of renewables are being shared with the 78 properties in the community.
Since August 2024, KCSS has delivered nearly $30,000 in energy saving credits to community members.
Following the Warmun success, Horizon Power has installed 356.4kW of rooftop solar across 33 properties in Bidyadanga. The 133 households received their second round of energy saving credits in late April, with the community receiving approximately $33,000 in total credit since installations were completed.
Work in the Dampier Peninsula community of Ardyaloon is underway, with approximately 21 homes to receive rooftop solar systems. About 85 households will have access to the benefits of renewables when installations are completed.
The program is expected to install up to 300 rooftop solar systems across five communities—with a combined capacity of 2MW—delivering an average annual household savings of approximately $450 in energy costs to approximately 430 households.
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Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said, “The Albanese Government is partnering with the Cook Government to make sure remote communities are taking part in the clean energy transition.
“This is what a fairer energy system looks like—shared solar cutting bills, easing cost-of-living pressures and reducing reliance on expensive diesel.
“We’ll keep working with communities and states like WA to deliver cleaner, cheaper energy for more Australians, no matter where they live.”
