The Swan Hill operations of Vivid, a not-for-profit disability services provider, has just received the news that they will receive a free 5.94kW solar power system funded through a partnership between Swan Hill Rural City Council and the Mallee Sun Solar Bulk Buy.
The 18-panel system will save Vivid around $1,500 each year off their electricity bill. It will be installed on the roof of the Vivid premises at 2 Harrods Lane, Swan Hill. A wide range of activities are run at this site each week for 50 adults with an intellectual disability, supported by around 30 staff.
Vivid will use the electricity bill savings to help fund a new life skills program for their clients, called ‘Seed to Plate’.
Maree Miliano, manager at Vivid’s Harrods Lane facility said this project is an exciting initiative developed by Vivid to engage clients in the process of creating an edible garden.
“Participants learn to grow, harvest, cook and eat healthy food in a fun, hands‐on and supported way. We’ve rolled out this program in Echuca and Kerang and now we can’t wait for the solar savings to kick in so we can get it started here in Swan Hill.”
“It is great to know that this free solar system has come about due to the support of our local community and council.”
“We use around 50kWh of electricity a day, as we are mostly all-electric. I’ve been told that our roof is perfect for solar – and it’s pretty big – so hopefully we can add more panels over time,” she said.
Swan Hill Rural City Council was involved in the selection process, as a number of community groups had applied for this first round of free solar funding from the Mallee Sun Solar Bulk Buy.
Cr Bill Moar, Mayor of Rural City of Swan Hill said he was delighted that the clients of Vivid in Swan Hill are going to directly benefit from this solar gift.
“Personally, I can’t wait to see this ‘Seed to Plate’ program get off the ground here at Vivid Swan Hill. This is a great result for Vivid and a great result for our community. We hope that this will be the first of a series of solar donations to community groups in our shire through the Mallee Sun Solar Bulk Buy,” he said.
To learn more about the Mallee Sun Solar Bulk Buy, visit malleesunsolar.org.au or call 1300 466 274.
If you would like to register an interest in hearing about the next round of solar donations through the bulk-buy (likely to be midyear), please email [email protected].
About the Mallee Sun Solar Bulk Buy:
The Mallee Sun Solar Bulk Buy is a partnership between Rural City of Swan Hill and the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance, a not-for-profit organisation that provides support to councils throughout central and north western Victoria to help drive action on climate change.
About Vivid:
Vivid is a trading name of Murray Human Services. It is a not‐for‐profit organisation operating in Swan Hill, Kerang, Echuca and Kyabram. Visit wearevivid.org.au
