In support of the Otway region’s strong desire to be using 100% renewable energy,
Southern Otways Sustainable (S.O.S) commissioned a report in June 2022 to explore renewable energy options and present a pathway to energy autonomy for Apollo Bay, Marengo, Skenes Creek, Forrest and Wye River.
This report by independent consultant, Enhar, found sunshine was one of the best
options for renewable energy in our region, but with annual power demand in excess of 20GWh a year, how far down the road to 100% renewables will the sun get us and our electric vehicles?
Using climate averages data from the Bureau of Meteorology spanning the past 30
years, Enhar calculated that based on our level of solar exposure, for every kilowatt
of solar PV installed, we could generate on average around 1425kWh a year. This
means at current consumption rates we would need access to approximately 13MW of installed solar PV, coupled with battery storage, to run entirely on the sun.
So, can we do it?
At present, it’s estimated, 14% of homes and businesses in Apollo Bay have solar
PV (roughly 500 solar systems) and they are collectively generating just shy of 17%
of the electricity we need to meet the current demand.
Even if we could convince all of the homeowners and businesses who don’t have
solar to install rooftop Solar PV we still couldn’t run entirely on the sun because we
need roughly six times what we currently have to generate the 20GWh a year we
use. And there simply isn’t enough roof space.
So, the Enhar report recommends that premises with existing solar systems add a
10kWh battery and energy controller (so as to be compatible with a smart grid), and
we also install 1000 new 5kW solar systems - each with a 10kWh battery and
controller.
The report estimates retrofitting the existing 500 systems would likely cost in the
order of $6.4M while the additional 1000 systems would cost around $17.5M.
There are state rebates available for some of the properties, but the 60% of residences in the region that are short term rentals and holiday homes are ineligible for rebates so there is certainly a challenge ahead. Enhar recommends we collectively buy in bulk to reduce the cost.
With the region striving to be powered by 100% renewable energy by 2030, Enhar
says increasing our solar footprint as outlined above, would enable us to achieve
40% of our renewable energy target. That’s almost half!
It will be cheaper if we work together so if you are interested in being part of a bulk
buy solar PV or battery initiative get in touch with us.
Next edition we look at how to make up the other 60% of our renewable energy
needs.
