Solar savings for bowlers.

Nagambie Bowls Club was selected as the community organisation to receive a free solar system through the Strathbogie Shire Council’s solar bulk buy program.

A council spokesperson said Echo Group in conjunction with the Yarra Energy Foundation pledged to donate a free system to a community group as the partnering organisation for Bogie Bulk Buy.

Nagambie Bowls Club members celebrating their donated
solar panels with representatives of organizations involved
 with the Bogie Bulk Buy program.

The Bogie Bulk Buy program was created to help residents buy solar systems together at a significantly cheaper rate.

The council spokesperson said the program had installed more than 119 solar systems in homes and businesses since its launch in 2017.

Nagambie Bowls Club president Rob Smith said the new solar system had helped the club beat rising power bills while keeping bowlers cool in soaring temperatures.

‘‘We’re a small club, and power price hikes over the past few years have hit us hard,’’ he said.

‘‘With the recent heat we normally would have seen the club’s air-conditioning bills go through the roof, but because of the new solar-power system, were able to keep our bowlers cool without burning a hole in our hip pocket.’’

The council said the bulk buy program had been such a success that the Euroa electorate was recently announced to have the highest rate of solar installations per capita in Victoria.

Strathbogie Shire has led the way with the Bogie Bulk Buy program, with six other Victorian councils — Murrindindi, Yarra, East Gippsland, Baw Baw, Latrobe and Wellington Shire Councils — replicating the program in their municipalities.

Strathbogie Shire Mayor Amanda McClaren said shire residents were not stopping with just solar when it came to renewable energy.

‘‘A lot of people are seeking our advice on batteries after a 24-hour power blackout here in Nagambie right across to Avenel during a 46°C heatwave,’’ she said.

‘‘The appetite for clean energy in Strathbogie is huge. We’re aiming to leave fossil fuels in the gutter and roll on towards a renewable powered future.

Story by Tara Whitsed from The Shepparton News - “Solar savings for bowlers.”