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MEDIA RELEASE: New campaign demands 'Solar for All' Australians - Climate Media Centre
8 Oct 2019 5:06 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TUESDAY 8 OCTOBER 2019 New campaign demands ‘Solar for All’ Australians A coalition of more than 20 community groups has launched a ‘Solar for All’ campaign calling on state governments to end solar lock-out and give all Australians access to safe and affordable energy. More than one third of Australians are locked out of access to clean energy because they rent, live in apartments, have unsuitable rooftops, or cannot afford the upfront cost of solar panels. The coalition, led by the Community Power Agency, is calling for policy and funding support for solutions to solar lockout, including solar gardens. These are centralised solar arrays that people can purchase a small share in; the electricity generated by these arrays is credited on consumers’ bills. “Solar energy reduces people’s electricity bills and cuts climate pollution. Everyone deserves to access these benefits, regardless of their living arrangements or income levels,” said Nicky Ison, founder and co-director, Community Power Agency. “Governments can easily fix this unfair situation in Australia by funding solar garden trials and solar rebates for low-income and locked-out households. “These simple solutions can help state governments deliver lower costs of living, better physical and mental health, and meaningful action on climate change. There are no downsides to this,” said Ison. Solar gardens are a proven concept. In the United States, 1.3GWs of solar gardens are operating across 40 states are saving communities hundreds of dollars per year, while reducing emissions. Liuanga Palu, Marrickville renter and co-lead of Sydney Alliance’s Voices for Power campaign, said: “I keep my heater and air conditioning use to a minimum because electricity is just too expensive—you can imagine how miserable that is on a freezing winter day or a scorching summer one.” “It’s frustrating to know that solar could cut my household bills by hundreds of dollars a year, but that I can’t tap into these benefits because I can’t afford the upfront costs or to buy a home yet. “Climate change is making our summers hotter every year. I want my elected leaders to quickly support solar gardens and rebates, because we all deserve healthy and safe lives,” said Palu. For interviews, contact Vaidehi Shah - 0452 290 082 / vaidehi@climatemediacentre.org.au. NSW, VIC and SA-specific analysis is available. Images, videos, factsheets available on Dropbox. Photos and video grabs from press conference will be uploaded after 11:30am today. About the Community Power Agency Community Power Agency was founded in 2011 to drive a faster and fairer transition to clean energy. At the Community Power Agency, we believe that local, people-powered clean energy projects will bring lasting benefits to communities across Australia. We care about achieving a transition to clean energy that benefits everyone, regardless of where you live, or what you earn. About Sydney Alliance The Sydney Alliance is a diverse coalition of community organisations, religious organisations, unions and schools that uses the tools of community organising to make the city a better place to live. The idea of building a Sydney Alliance was first raised in May 2007, and by November that same year was financially supported by 13 organisations. The Alliance launched with 45 partner organisations on 15 September 2011. Notes to editors: Quotes from other community groups / states below. Embeddable explainer video about solar gardens here. Images and footage of the launch will be uploaded into this Dropbox folder on Tuesday 8 Oct 2019 Campaign webpage can be found at www.solarforall.org.au. The community groups in this campaign coalition are: 
ADDITIONAL QUOTES
Mark Henley, Manager - Advocacy and Communications, Uniting Communities, South Australia, said:
"Solar options need to be available to low income renters, who are otherwise limited in their ability to control their energy bills."
"It is now evident that solar energy options are cheaper than other energy and renewables and this campaign is fantastic because it promotes greater access to lower cost renewable energy"
Leo Patterson Ross, Senior Policy Officer, Tenants Union of NSW, said:
"Solar gardens offer a clean and fair way to reduce the cost of living for people renting their homes."
"With solar gardens, Australia can deliver solar for all in our beautiful, sunny land we are."
"We know people who rent their homes are keen to join in receiving the benefits of solar, but so far they have been kept in the dark."
"One of the great advantages of solar gardens is you don't have to lose your access when you move - this has been one of the big barriers for people renting their home from accessing solar in the past even if they had the funds to pay"
Donna Luckman, CEO, Renew, said:
"As Victoria leads the way towards a clean energy future, it is important to ensure nobody is left behind."