C-PREP Update July 2010

The City of Victor Harbor’s first bulk retrofit of solar panels, C-PREP is now complete. Some 800 ratepayers across four Fleurieu councils installed minimum solar panel sets of 1.05kWh (6-8 panels) with many taking the opportunity to install much larger systems.

A further 1,000 ratepayers in other councils as far afield as Barossa and Light also joined the program just before the Federal Government ended it three weeks prematurely in June 2009. While C-PREP involved approximately 1,800 ratepayers all told, this site concentrates on the Fleurieu and KI areas.

The Fleurieu and KI now save at least 1,700 tons of carbon gas annually. This number more than doubles when C-PREP installations in other councils are added. Most installations save ratepayers at least a quarter on their energy bills and in many instances generate income from the state net feed-in tariff of 44cents per kWh. The list of economic benefits can be seen in detail under the Economic Results heading.

So successful has the program been that the Local Government Authority (LGA) launched a similar program in May this year acknowledging Victor Harbor's C-PREP as the model. The LGA program will run for one year across six metropolitan councils.

The Regional Development Authority (RDA) has approached the City of Victor Harbor with the view to running a second solar retrofit program. The RDA's initial work may also see a "smart energy" project get under way on Kangaroo Island.

C-PREP Update 17.02.2010

All the final registration fee invoices of $75.00 have been sent out to those ratepayers who signed up under the C-PREP program. There will be a few people who did not proceed or went with other suppliers, so if there is any ambiguity please ring Roy at the Council on 8551 0558.

The registration fee is dedicated to the ongoing renewable energy research and development with the University of Adelaide. An update of progress can be seen under C-PREP Ongoing R&D .

C-PREP Update 6.11.2009

The Local Government Authority (LGA) has taken a firm interest in Victor Harbor's C-PREP solar panel retrofit program. So much so they have organized a one day forum for all SA Councils to be held on November 26th 2009.

The day long event will feature how councils and their ratepayers can lower energy bills and simultaneously reduce their carbon footprint.

Experts in solar, wind and bio energy methods will outline the best available options while those that have initiated such programs will cover job and product creation in this new power industry.

Roy Ramage
Economic Development Officer
City of Victor Harbor
P 8551 0558   |  M 0448 760 005

For further information ratepayers can call Roy Ramage on 8551 0558 or email on