October 9th, 2007
Housing NSW is committed to helping to reduce the burden of electricity costs for low-income families in social housing.
The Department is proud to be part of the Solar City project which will see 100 solar hot water heaters and 140 solar electricity systems fitted to Department homes and unit blocks to reduce residents’ energy bills and generate clean electricity.
These measures are expected to save each household approximately $250 a year in energy bills, which is certainly a significant saving.
The 16 houses in Amy Close will be the first to have their solar appliances installed, with the remaining installations to continue over the next two years.
This will also include solar electricity systems being fitted to 40 unit blocks to supply energy to power common area lighting.
Our 11,000 households in the Blacktown City Local Government Area will contribute to the fight against global warming by eliminating 13,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases over the life of the pilot.
Low income households are at greater risk from climate change impacts, with energy and water costs taking up a larger proportion of essential income.
Social housing residents in the Blacktown Solar City area can also take up offers such as community energy advice, home energy audits, discounted energy appliances and free energy efficient light bulbs.
Funding for the Department of Housing component of the project includes $1.3 million from the Australian Government and $714,000 from Housing NSW.
The Blacktown Solar City project is a $37 million project that will utilise $15 million of funding from the Australian Government and $22 million of in-kind cash contributions from consortium members including BP Solar, Blacktown City Council, Integral Energy, Landcom, Big Switch Projects and ANZ.