Energy and Climate

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We recognise that we are in a state of climate emergency, and we need to restore a safe climate at emergency speed, in order to avoid dramatic and negative impacts on our community and around the world.

We are already seeing more intense and frequent heatwaves, heavy rainfall and flooding, the bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef, extreme fire weather and more bushfires. These changes are the result of the build-up of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane in our atmosphere. This is largely due to our heavy reliance on burning fossil fuels (petrol, gas and coal) for energy use – especially for electricity generation and transport. Our best hope of securing our future is to move into emergency mode to make the changes we need to make quickly.

This is why we have adopted the Darebin Climate Emergency Plan.

Darebin Climate Emergency Plan

In 2017 we adopted the Darebin Climate Emergency Plan. You can read what Councillors had to say about the plan in the minutes from the Council meeting on Monday 21 August. Download the web version of the final plan or the 8-page summary. You can read about the consultation process on Your Say Darebin.

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Video of the Darebin Climate Forum 2016

Interested in installing solar on your property through our solar programs? Council has set a target to double solar in Darebin over the next five years. Expressions of interest are now open for our solar programs.

Solar Saver Program

Solar Saver helps Darebin residents, businesses and organisations to install solar panels - saving you money on your energy bills.

  • We'll pay the upfront cost for the system, and you (or your landlord) pay it off over ten years, interest free.
  • The savings you make on your energy bills will more than outweigh your repayments to Council, leaving you better off.
  • A range of sizes of systems are available. For most households, the bigger the system, the better the payback.
  • Council has done the work to help you access:
    • A reliable supplier and installer
    • Quality panels and inverters
    • Extended warranties (25 years for the panels; 10 years for the inverter and installation)
    • A discounted price.
  • There have been two previous rounds of Solar Saver, and so far nearly 500 households have benefitted from the program and another 480 will have solar systems installed later this year.
  • The current round of Solar Saver is full, however you can register now for the next round, which will get underway later this year, with installations to occur from early 2019.

If solar is a viable option for your household, you will be offered a no-obligation quote. The solar provider will talk you through what size of system will work for your house and your budget.

Register now

(Registration will take approximately 10 minutes)

Don't have time to register? Leave your contact details and we'll get in touch with you.

Solar Saver information session

To learn more about what the Solar Saver program can do for you and how to participate, come along to our information session. 

Date: Tuesday 3 July
Time: 2:30 - 3:30pm
Location: Reservoir Community and Learning Centre
(23 Edwardes Street, Reservoir)

Register for information session

Frequently Asked Questions
To learn more about this program, have a look at our Frequently Asked Questions.

Read more in your language Arabic, English, Chinese, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Macedonian, Somali, Vietnamese.

Solar Bulk Buy Program 

Like Solar Saver, this program offers Darebin households, organisations and businesses an opportunity to purchase a quality solar system from a trusted supplier at a great price and with all the same warranties. The main difference is that participants pay upfront for their solar system, and have a little more flexibility in which kind of system they can choose. To find out more about the differences between the programs please read our Frequently Asked Questions below.

Register your interest now.

Note: We cannot guarantee you will be accepted into the program of your choice as this will depend on your eligibility and the suitability of your property for solar.

If you have any questions please check our Frequently Asked Questions, email solar@darebin.vic.gov.au or phone 8470 8888.

We rely on energy everyday and as energy supplies are limited, we need to conserve our usage wisely.

The Energy Conservation Hierarchy

  • Minimise energy use – use natural light, heating, and cooling where possible. Insulate your home to keep summer heat out and winter heat in and reduce the need for additional heating and cooling  
  • Use energy efficiently – choose efficient lighting such as LED or compact fluorescent globes and appliances with a high Energy Star Rating
  • Use renewable energy – consider installing solar electricity, solar hot water and switching to GreenPower
  • Offset – your remaining emissions

Pooling Our Energy Savings

Users of Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre and Reservoir Leisure Centre might have noticed the regular works being undertaken over the last 2 years. We are excited to announce that the 'Pooling our Energy Savings' energy efficiency upgrades and installation of power generation technologies have now been completed.  

These upgrades are expected to deliver a reduction in operational costs of over $100,000, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 2000 tonnes per year. That’s the same as taking about 500 cars off the road!  

The energy efficiency upgrades are similar to the energy efficiency measures we can all take at home, although these are on a larger scale!  We installed;

  • Onsite power generation – generating our own electricity for the buildings using natural gas which is cleaner and cheaper than coal-generated electricity from our power grid
  • Draught sealing for gaps around doors and windows
  • Double glazed doors
  • Better insulation
  • Insulated pool blankets
  • LED lighting
  • Higher efficiency air conditioning and heating systems

You can watch our 'Pooling Our Energy Savings' video below and learn more about our installation of power generation technologies and energy efficiency upgrades. 

If you want to learn more about the energy efficiency measures you can take at home, please visit www.sustainablecommunities.vic.gov.au and check our upcoming workshop schedule.

The energy efficiency upgrades and installation of power generation technology received funding from the Australian Government.

Tips for Home Builders and Renovators

All new homes and renovations in Australia are required to achieve a 6 star energy rating. 6 Star homes use less energy and save you money, as well as providing more comfortable homes. The 6 Star Standard is a flexible performance based standard and can be achieved using a variety of energy saving measures. Considering the following measures will help your home or renovation meet the standard:
  • Incorporate north facing windows, blinds, verandas and ceiling fans to help control temperature
  • Install a solar hot water system
  • Choose a gas heater with at least a 4-star energy rating
  • Install or upgrade insulation
Pooling Our Energy Savings