00:02Twelve years ago, a group of Goulburn locals had a dream to build their own commercial
00:07solar farm.
00:08There were a bunch of people who knew nothing about solar farms, but who were absolutely
00:13determined to build one right here.
00:16Despite significant delays, that dream is now a reality, with the solar farm plugged
00:22in and powering 500 homes.
00:25Part of the profits that are generated will go into that fund to assist those within
00:30our community who can't afford to buy electricity every quarter.
00:36It's one of the largest community-owned solar power projects in the country, and the first
00:41with a battery.
00:42Residents here say it's an investment in future generations, at a time of global energy uncertainty.
00:49To me it's a no-brainer that this sun's coming down for free.
00:53It's going to keep doing that for a very, very, very long time.
00:57It's not like there's a strait of hummus between us and the sun here.
01:02Co-op members have invested more than $3 million into the project, alongside a $2 million state
01:09government grant.
01:10They're expecting an annual return on their investment of around 5%.
01:15Plans for this solar farm will be made public.
01:17There are hopes it will become a blueprint for other communities buying into the renewable
01:22transition.
01:23We need more of these in Australia, I mean we've got it, haven't we, the sun?
01:29We should be using it.
01:30It's definitely a show of support for renewable energy and it's the way forward.
01:36Proving people power can make a difference.
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