The Jamberoo Valley Ratepayers and Residents Association (JVRRA) is assessing the viability and interest in installing a community solar battery.

Jamberoo resident and change consultant, Wendy Stamp, who was guest speaker on the subject at the April meeting, says she and husband Terry are greatly inspired by Victoria’s first community-owned battery, part of Yackandanda’s 100 per cent renewable plan.

The Totally Renewable Yackandandah (TRY) Community Battery and the Twist Creek Microgrid were both opened in July 2021. The town is now powered entirely by solar and storage.

“My husband and I realised that Jamberoo is that same kind of town – with a very strong- minded community and a great mix of people with great community spirit.

“I began to do some research on storing energy collectively and found that one community battery could power 250 households (family homes).”

As Australians try to lower energy bills and at the same time cut emissions, the power of solar has become quite a talking point in many communities.

Jamberoo Golf Club first installed solar panels in 2014 and they had paid for themselves by 2018

In 2021, Endeavour Energy proposed a project to Kiama Council, as part of its Community Battery Initiative Program, to install a battery on Council land in Henry Parkes Drive.

Endeavour says they are still intending a community battery for Kiama, but haven’t as yet finalised the timeline.

JVRRA has formed a committee to further investigate community interest in a battery and to check out all State, Federal and council grants that might be available to them.

“Our first step will be to reach into the community,” says committee chair Peter Kennedy.

“There will be many questions and we need to do much research so we can provide the answers.”

The other committee members include Wendy Stamp, Brad Wenzel and Roger Lyle.

Wendy says once the community has been engaged, a feasibility study and a model will be created, “Eventually, the Jamberoo Power Company should be able to generate way more power than this community can consume.”

Wendy points to Ausgrid’s three east coast trials for background reading.