MASH in Castlemaine, Victoria | Community organisation

MASH

Locality: Castlemaine, Victoria

Phone: +61 1300 466 274

Address: Level 1, The Hub, 233 Barker St 3450 Castlemaine, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.mash.org.au

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• Community organisation
• Solar energy services

25.01.2022 Interesting solar fact for those living in the Powercor region (i.e. Mt Alexander Shire, most of Macedon Ranges Shire, most of Hepburn Shire, Bendigo).... You are allowed to install more than 5kW of solar on your home (even if it has single phase power supply), so long as there's an export limit set up on the amount of power your solar system sends to the grid based on what Powercor will let you export (the maximum allowed amount is 5kW of exports for a single-phase propert...y). For example, you could have 10kW of solar power installed and have an export limit set up of 5kW. This could make sense for you if you are a big user of electricity during the day (maybe you need power for water pumps, a pool etc), or if you want to have a home battery installed as you can divert your excess power generation to the battery instead of exporting it to the grid.

25.01.2022 Our next series of online solar info meetings starts Thursday 13 August, 5-6pm. These meetings are a great way to learn about how solar works, find out about the MASH bulk-buy, the systems on offer, prices and rebates. We are also holding another online battery storage info meeting, on Tuesday 1 September, 5-6pm. (Please note however that applying for the battery rebate at the moment is quite tricky as the supply of battery rebates is limited to 40 every two weeks, and the demand across Victoria is much higher than that. Fortunately, the supply of rebates for solar panels is strong and not an issue.) You can register for either the solar or battery meeting here: https://mash.org.au/online-info-meetings/

23.01.2022 The Hepburn Recreation Reserve which is both a community sports facility and dedicated place of last resort in the event of a bushfire now has full protection from power outages thanks to a new 76 panel solar-plus-battery storage system. https://mash.org.au//news/bushfire-resilience-boost-for-he

23.01.2022 Get your solar and battery storage questions answered at a MASH Info Meeting in Castlemaine or Woodend - we're holding 4 events, starting on 13 May. Call the MASH team on 1300 466 274 to register your place.

22.01.2022 There's good news for landlords and renters looking for more financial help to get solar panels installed on their rental properties. Announced on Monday 27 July, landlords can now apply for an interest-free loan from Solar Victoria under the Solar Panels for Rental Properties program. Up to $1,850 is available as an interest-free loan. With the Solar Panels rebate - also worth up to $1,850 - this reduces the upfront cost of solar by up to $3,700. Landlords can apply and... pay for the entire solar system themselves, or work with their tenants for a loan repayment co-contribution of up to $19.27 a month. Energy minister Lily D’Ambrosio said that with Victoria thrown back into more lockdowns in response to a spike in Coronavirus cases, the need for rental households to keep home energy costs down was greater than ever. Whilst the allocation of Solar Panels rebates for rental properties is lower than that for owner-occupied properties, there are still 111 rental rebates available at the time of writing (7 August 2020) with more due to be allocated in mid August. Read the full article here: https://onestepoffthegrid.com.au/new-crack-in-solar-ceilin/ For information about the Solar Panels rebate for Rental Properties available through Solar Victoria, visit: https://www.solar.vic.gov.au/solar-rental-properties To request a quote for a solar system through the MASH bulk-buy, call us on 1300 466 274 or complete the online form here: https://mash.org.au/request-a-quote-mash-round-5/

22.01.2022 Enlightened landlords Hans and Anne van Gemert realise that ‘going solar’ is a good financial move for them as well as their tenants and they’re keen to spread the word. All our tenants had to do for us to get the Solar Homes $1,850 rebate was to sign the Solar Homes Tenant Landlord Agreement which states that the tenant gets full benefit of the lower bills, said Hans. The tenants were very happy to sign the agreement. They had nothing to lose and everything to gain as we were paying the full cost. The Solar Homes application process was very easy and straightforward and MASH’s solar provider were very professional, quick and very good on the communications side of things. https://mash.org.au/rental-property-hits-solar-sweet-spot/

21.01.2022 If you want greater energy self-sufficiency, and you are thinking about adding home battery storage, make an hour this Thursday 9 July to learn all about it! The Hepburn & MASH solar bulk-buy team are hosting an online battery info meeting starting at 5pm, finishing at 6pm, which explains how grid-connect home battery storage works, the advantages of the Tesla Powerwall 2 battery, prices and the state government rebate which is available in selected postcodes (including virtually all of the Hepburn Shire, Macedon Ranges Shire, most of the Mount Alexander Shire, City of Greater Bendigo and other neighbouring areas). Register here: https://zoom.us//regi/tJMkduCsrjIjHdB2EZicF1db1KbtUWOM30Rs

20.01.2022 Just launched by popular demand - a solar panels cleaning and system check service. Available in Mt Alexander Shire, Macedon Ranges Shire, Hepburn Shire and City of Greater Bendigo. Includes a free smart energy monitor - so you can see in real-time how much power your dishwasher is using (!), and which beer fridge has just got to go! Call MASH on 1300 466 274 to register for this service. Available to anyone with solar panels - not only MASH participants. ... https://mash.org.au/solar-panel-cleaning-and-system-check/

20.01.2022 Now's a great time for landlords to get solar panels installed on their rental property. That's because the state government has just enhanced the financial incentives for landlords to 'go solar'. Learn more here: https://mash.org.au/rental-solar-boost/ or call the MASH solar bulk-buy team on 1300 466 274 ' https://mash.org.au/rental-solar-boost/

19.01.2022 If you're thinking about going solar, join our next Online Solar Info Meeting this Thursday 27 August from 5-6pm. It's a great chance to learn about how solar works, what the MASH and Hepburn solar bulk-buys offer in terms of solar power systems and prices, and the rebates on offer. Register for the Zoom meeting here: https://zoom.us//regi/tJYrdO-rrDsqGNDmMkueC8NdrE5QlK_WTiZK Thank you for the information session. I learnt a lot and feel much better informed and will be more confident when we are in a position to get solar power. Linda Pickering, Central Goldfields Shire

19.01.2022 Uptake of solar and batteries through the MASH and Hepburn Solar Bulk-Buys in the last 3 months has broken all records! Over 134 households have bought a system through the bulk-buys, including 26 Powerwall 2 home battery storage systems - over half a megawatt of solar is now being installed in our region! Once these systems are installed, over $10k will be raised for free solar for community groups and schools in the region. And through our customer satisfaction survey, we...'re finding that people are having a positive experience with their installations: "I was attracted to the local-community-in-action aspect of the offer. The whole exercise proceeded in a drama-free manner with no hiccups, resulting in a system that met all our expectations. What’s not to love?" Thanks to everyone who's helped achieve this - our Council partners, local sustainability groups, our supplier Cola Solar and last but definitely not least, the bulk-buy participants themselves. Thank you! https://mash.org.au/bulk-buys-go-from-strength-to-strength/

17.01.2022 Fantastic news for solar & batteries!!! The Victorian Government has just made this announcement: "To help more Victorians get the benefits of solar, the Labor Government will provide $191 million to expand its landmark Solar Homes program. This includes 42,000 additional solar rebates, meaning a total of 140,000 households will be able to install solar panels on their roof at no upfront cost over next two years. And for the very first time, small businesses will also be ab...le to apply with 15,000 solar rebates for businesses. In addition, Victorians in every corner of the state will now be able to apply for a Solar Homes battery, with the Labor Government providing 17,500 household battery rebates over the next three years." https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/helping-victorians-pay-their

17.01.2022 Are you a farmer in the Central Goldfields Shire? Are you interested in solar PV to cut your on-farm energy bills? Did you know that grants are currently available for efficiency improvements - including solar - from Agriculture Victoria? Check out what the MASH Solar Bulk-Buy can offer to help you 'go solar' and navigate the grant process. Get in touch on 1300 466 274 or visit mash.org.au.

16.01.2022 Are you interested in finding out how home battery storage works and whether or not it is worth the investment now? If so, join us for a Zoom Battery Info Meeting today from 5-6pm. Register here by clicking this link: https://bit.ly/3hYSXoh You'll hear from a battery storage expert, find out about the Tesla Powerwall and get the latest on the state government's battery rebate. Already 40 people have registered to attend this meeting - interest in battery storage is really ...high. You'll also get the opportunity to get answers to your battery questions during the Zoom meeting. We hope you can join us! https://bit.ly/3hYSXoh

16.01.2022 No postcode restrictions for solar battery rebates starting from tomorrow, according to announcement today from Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D'Ambrosio. Plus a massive increase in the number of solar battery rebates for this financial year. Lots more solar panels rebates too. This is fantastic news for Victorian households. https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/helping-victorians-pay-their

15.01.2022 Are you interested in storing your excess solar power in a battery? Do you want protection from power outages and greater energy independence? Want to know if you'd qualify for the state government battery rebate - which is $4,174 from 1st July 2020? Interested to find out the benefits of the Tesla Powerwall 2 battery - and its price through our bulk-buy? Get answers to all these questions at our online battery info meeting today, from 5-6pm. Register here: https://bit.ly.../2Na41Ro Alternatively, visit the battery page on our website for more info: https://mash.org.au/battery-storage-with-the-tesla-powerwa/ - or call us on 1300 466 274.

15.01.2022 Malmsbury CFA no longer have to worry about power outages thanks to a new solar and Tesla Powerwall battery. This was funded by a number of groups including through the MASH community solar bulk-buy. This is a great result for the Malmsbury community. It ensures we can operate and respond from the fire station during a power outage and it can also be a hub for the community at the same time said Tony Stephens, Malmsbury Fire Brigade Captain. https://mash.org.au/bushfire-safety-boost-for-malmsbury/

14.01.2022 PV Magazine has reported the news of the two exciting solar+battery systems that have recently been installed in the Hepburn Shire and Macedon Ranges Shire through a combined response from Hepburn Shire Council, Hepburn Wind, Z-NET Hepburn Shire, Bank Australia and the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance and the solar bulk-buy programs it runs, i.e. MASH and the Hepburn Solar Bulk-Buy.

13.01.2022 Beautiful 19th century schoolhouse now powered by Tesla Powerwall 2 battery acquired by John and Airlie Loughran in Rochford, Macedon Ranges Shire, through the MASH community solar bulk-buy. John says he couldn’t be happier with the installation and being able to monitor and manage the Tesla battery from his iPhone. Everything about the process and the clean energy he is producing and storing makes [him] feel good. John and Airlie plan in the future to install an Electric ...Vehicle Charging Station for their bed and breakfast business that will run directly from their battery and solar system and benefit from the growing eco-tourist industry. Find out more, call MASH on 1300 466 274 https://mash.org.au/13168-2/

12.01.2022 Ensuring the safety of all bulk-buy participants and installers during the COVID-19 pandemic is of utmost importance. As of the time of writing (18 August 2020) under stage 3 restrictions for our part of Victoria, it is still allowable to install solar and battery systems as long as adherence is paid to the restrictions. We are lucky; those in Melbourne unfortunately are not allowed to install solar at the moment. See what procedures are in place with the MASH installer to ensure the safety of everyone during an installation - click this link: https://mash.org.au/covid-19-safety-measures/

11.01.2022 The stopper on the uptake of home battery storage has been lifted with the state government's announcement of a massive increase in supply of rebates for home battery storage (worth up to $4,174) starting with immediate effect and the lifting of postcode restrictions. This means that households in ALL Victorian postcodes are now eligible in terms of their location (other eligibility criteria apply). Full story here: https://mash.org.au/home-battery-storage-set-to-take-off/ Find out more and request a Tesla Powerwall 2 quote from the MASH community solar bulk-buy by calling 1300 466 274 or visiting https://mash.org.au/request-a-quote-mash-round-5/ Register for a MASH Battery Info Meeting on Monday 7 December, 5-6pm here: https://bit.ly/3pCESRD

11.01.2022 The MASH Community Solar Bulk-Buy is now available to households and businesses in the Loddon Shire, in partnership with Loddon Shire Council. Installations have begun. Here's what Bridgewater couple, Karin and Eddie Iob, have to say: We had been thinking of getting solar power for our small farm since moving to Bridgewater three years ago but where to start? Who should we go with and how would we make sense of all the deals? Luckily, Cr Colleen Condliffe happened to ment...ion the MASH Community Solar Bulk-Buy which is a program run in partnership with Loddon Shire Council. We were put in touch with the MASH solar provider who guided us through the Victorian Government’s solar panels rebate and was always ready to answer any questions we had. Each step was supported by clear emails we could refer to and an easy-to-read quote. A very generous interest-free payment plan and the knowledge we were buying at a co-operative community bulk-buy rate was some of the appeal. Also, we liked that our purchase would contribute towards the free installation of a solar power system on a community building in the shire. Now we, and our neighbour, are happily looking forward to a big drop in our power bills. https://mash.org.au/mash-now-in-loddon-shire/

11.01.2022 Disability service provider Vivid, is now powered by a free solar system at its Swan Hill site thanks to a partnership between Swan Hill Rural City Council and the Mallee Sun Solar Bulk Buy, a project of the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance (which also runs the MASH and Hepburn Solar Bulk-Buys). The 18-panel, 5.94kW system will save Vivid around $1,500 a year off its electricity bill. The savings will go towards programs that support over 50 people with disabilities who... participate in the programs provided by Vivid at its Harrods Lane site in Swan Hill. This solar installation is cause for celebration, said Cr Bill Moar, Mayor of Swan Hill Rural City Council. It goes to show what is possible when people and organisations work together towards a common goal. In this case, the goal is multi-layered: it’s about helping our community make the transition to sun-powered energy and reaping the benefits from that lower bills, a cleaner environment and free solar for not-for-profit community groups in our Shire. For more information about the Mallee Sun Solar Bulk-Buy and to request a quote, visit malleesunsolar.org.au or call 1300 466 274. https://malleesunsolar.org.au/free-sun-power-at-vivid-swan/

09.01.2022 Linda and Roy Pickering of Carisbrook, Central Goldfields Shire, have this to say about their new MASH solar power system: "MASH took out the need of us having to do the homework, something we weren’t that keen to do as we aren’t solar experts and don’t intend to be! The process was very simple and we are delighted with the installation. Now, we’re keen to see the savings on our first bill. MASH really does make going solar simple and easy." https://mash.org.au/mash-now-in-central-goldfields-shire/

09.01.2022 Solar battery rebates from the State Government were all allocated in less than one minute yesterday. The MASH team has raised this issue in a Zoom meeting with State Member for Bendigo West, Maree Edwards. This situation is causing lots of frustration for households (including MASH participants) who are keen to invest in home battery storage but are finding the short supply of battery rebates and the way in which they are being allocated (like concert tickets) to be a big put-off. The next release of battery rebates will be 12pm, 7 October 2020 - see solar.vic.gov.au

08.01.2022 If you are interested in getting a battery rebate (worth up to $4,174), it is important to know that these are proving difficult to get. That's because the supply of rebates is not enough to meet current demand. Solar Victoria, the body who administers and allocates the rebates, makes these battery rebates available once every 2 weeks. Yesterday, 40 battery rebates were made available for the whole of Victoria. These were all allocated within 30 minutes. The next allocaton of battery rebates will take place at 12pm 19 August. If you miss out on an allocation, you need to apply all over again. Fortunately the supply of solar panels rebates through Solar Victoria is currently sufficient to meet demand and there are no reported issues with the allocation of these.

07.01.2022 Households, businesses and farms in Central Goldfields Shire can now access cost-effective solar thanks to a partnership between Central Goldfields Shire Council and the More Australian Solar Homes (MASH) initiative. Central Goldfields Shire Council Chief Administrator Noel Harvey said Council is pleased to be a partner of the MASH community solar bulk-buy. Our Shire already has a lot of solar but there’s definitely room for more. As a Council, we’re keen to encourage more ...homes, businesses and farms to ‘go solar’ and we believe that MASH has a good offering. Full story here: https://mash.org.au/central-goldfields-shire-supports-new-/ See what MASH and Central Goldfields Shire Council are aiming to achieve together in the next 12 months here: https://mash.org.au/central-goldfields/ Find out more about MASH and request a quote on 1300 466 274. #CentralGoldfields #goldfieldssustainability #rotarymaryborough #committeeformaryborough

07.01.2022 Campbells Creek couple, Sam and Mark Davis, are newly arrived in town and getting solar installed was one of their early priorities. Here’s their story We like MASH solar bulk-buy because it is community driven and for us, this is one of the attractions of moving to Castlemaine. MASH was also recommended to us by friends of ours in Castlemaine who bought their solar system through the program and had a good experience. We were pleasantly surprised by the prices of solar ...through MASH...Right from when we contacted MASH everything was easy...Everything happened so quickly." Learn more - visit mash.org.au or call the MASH team on 1300 466 274 https://mash.org.au/solar-an-early-priority-for-newcomers-/

06.01.2022 COVID-19 restrictions are affecting life for everyone and we wish everyone the best during these challenging times. In regional Victoria under stage 3 restrictions, solar and battery installations can continue providing that the rules are complied with. Our bulk-buy programs are continuing and installations are happening every day in compliance with stage 3 restrictions. ... Our solar suppliers are complying with all restrictions. To see what this means in practice, please visit our websites using these links: MASH Solar Bulk-Buy https://mash.org.au/covid-19-safety-measures/ Hepburn Solar Bulk-Buy https://mash.org.au/hepburn-solar/covid-19-safety-measures Mallee Sun Solar Bulk-Buy https://malleesunsolar.org.au/covid-19-safety-measures/ Keep safe and keep well.

05.01.2022 Act now to get the solar battery rebate - worth up to $4,174. There's now plenty of rebates available to meet demand - thanks to the state government funding announcement this week. Also, you can be living in literally ANY Vic postcode now to apply for the rebate (another BIG change that's happened this week). Request a quote through the MASH community solar bulk-buy for a Tesla Powerwall battery - one of the batteries eligible for the rebate. Visit https://mash.org.au/request-a-quote-mash-round-5/ or call MASH on 1300 466 274.

03.01.2022 Mount Alexander Shire now has 34% of homes with solar panels - which is pretty fabulous! Whilst the MASH solar bulk-buy has had a other record breaking few months for solar PV with over 600kW ordered, the question is how much more solar is possible, due to capacity issues with the electricity grid. We are seeing some homes - even in the middle of Castlemaine - getting knocked back or export limited by Powercor. Read this article to learn more: https://mash.org.au/how-much-rooftop-solar-is-possible/

03.01.2022 If you are interested in getting an electric vehicle, this event is well worth checking out.

02.01.2022 We are finding that a number of our bulk-buy participants are finding it hard to get a battery rebate through the Solar Homes program due to their limited availability (40 per week) and the fact that they are allocated on a 'first come first served' basis each time that they are released. And if you miss out, you have to reapply all over again. Someone has just emailed me saying the following: "Regarding solar battery rebates, it seems to me that only those with fast inter...net speeds have a chance of obtaining one. We have slow internet, and I was unable to record my details in time during the last two offers. It seems a patently unfair process. I have written to the Minister but have had no response yet. Solar Victoria had no solution and basically ignored the issue. Not impressed. It's a competition between people with fast internet only." If you have experienced a problem with the battery rebate, please let me know. I will be having a Zoom meeting with Maree Edwards, State Member for Bendigo West about our bulk-buy programs and I will raise with her any of the issues you might like to share through this post. Many thanks.

02.01.2022 Are you a farmer in the Mount Alexander Shire? Are you interested in solar PV to cut your on-farm energy bills? Did you know that grants are currently available for efficiency improvements - including solar - from Agriculture Victoria? Check out what the MASH Solar Bulk-Buy can offer to help you 'go solar' and navigate the grant process. Get in touch on 1300 466 274 or visit mash.org.au.

02.01.2022 There's a really interesting Australian angle to the Suntech solar panels offered through the MASH project. Suntech is a (massive) Chinese solar panel manufacturer - started by Australian-educated Chinese engineer Dr Zhengrong Shi. After completing his Ph.D in electrical engineering at the UNSW in 2000 he returned to start up Suntech. He then returned to Australia setting up Suntech's Australian operations in 2007 - making them the longest serving provider of solar panels to the Australian market. They're also working in joint R&D solar projects with Aussie Universities including Monash and UNSW. https://mash.org.au/suntech-panels/

02.01.2022 Our next Online Solar Info Meeting is this Thursday 13 August, 5-6pm via Zoom. It's a great chance to find out how solar works, what our bulk-buy program is about, the systems on offer, prices, rebates - and get answers to any questions you may have. Register here: https://mash.org.au/online-info-meetings/ Also, to let you know that in our part of regional Vic solar installations are allowed to continue as long as solar installers comply with stage 3 restrictions. For more info about the safety measures our solar provider is adhering to, visit this page: https://mash.org.au/covid-19-safety-measures/ To see the official message from Solar Victoria about installing solar during current restrictions relating to COVID-19 visit this page: https://www.solar.vic.gov.au/

01.01.2022 More good news re budget commitments from the Victorian Government to support the uptake of renewable energy including: * More solar PV rebates (an extra 42,000 rebates over the next 2 years) * More solar battery rebates (an extra 17,500 battery rebates over the next 3 years with ALL VIC postcodes now classed as eligible) * Solar PV rebates for small businesses (this is new)... * $27m for community energy projects including microgrids, neighbourhood batteries, bushfire resilience programs and community-owned renewable energy projects * A further $21 million to help community groups to install renewable energy systems, storage and energy efficiency improvements at community buildings. News release here: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/making-victoria-renewable-en

01.01.2022 Thanks to an outstanding level of uptake of solar in recent months through the MASH community solar bulk-buy, the project has raised $10,000 which is now ready to distribute in the form of free solar - or towards a battery - to not-for-profit community groups, social housing co-operatives, and schools in the Mt Alexander Shire and Macedon Ranges Shire. Half of the money will be donated to an organisation in the Mt Alexander Shire and the other half will go to a group in the M...acedon Ranges Shire. For the Macedon Ranges Shire, a further $5,000 in the form of an interest-free loan will be made available by the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group. Deadline for applications: Monday 23 November 2020 at 5pm Learn more here: https://mash.org.au/mash-ready-to-give-again/ or call 1300 466 274