Community Energy Revolving Fund for Not-For-Profits
Helping not-for-profits access renewable energy upgrades
The Community Energy Revolving Fund has been established by Geelong Sustainability to facilitate our city’s transition to a sustainable energy system. We're enabling not-for-profit community organisations to access renewable energy upgrades.
If you’re a not-for-profit interested in installing renewable energy or energy efficiency upgrades, we’re interested in you!
We’re looking to fund new projects across the Barwon region right now.
Not only will you receive access to an interest-free loan to fund your project, we also make the process easy with independent and trusted advice about the benefits of renewable energy systems.
How does it work?
In a nutshell, community members donate to the Revolving Fund. Renewable energy projects are funded through interest-free loans. Loans are repaid from energy bill savings over 5 years.
Money is reinvested to fund more community energy projects. Not-for-profits reduce energy costs and the environment benefits. How good is that!
What are the benefits?
- No upfront capital required
- Interest-free loan repaid over 5 years
- Cash flow positive; energy bill savings exceed loan repayments
- Reduced energy costs
- Reduced carbon emissions
What can be funded?
Eligible Projects Include:
- Renewable energy projects
- Solar or battery installation or upgrades
- Energy efficiency upgrades
- Heat pump hot water installation
- Split system heating and cooling installation
- Electric vehicles, including EV charging infrastructure or vehicle purchase
- Costs of switching away from fossil fuels including the decommissioning of equipment
- Projects that cost between $10,000 and $100,000.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Community Energy Revolving Fund your organisation must:
- Be a not-for-profit community based organisation
- Operate in the G21 Region; which includes Geelong, Surf Coast, Colac Otway, Golden Plains and Queenscliff
- Own the property or have a long term lease and landlord approval
- Directly pay the electricity bill costs
- Be able to provide at least 2 years of financial statements and pass a credit check
What Won’t Be Funded
- For profit businesses
- Organisations which operate outside of Greater Geelong and G21 region
- Projects where Council pays the energy bill costs
- Projects that do not reduce carbon emissions or include new fossil fuel equipment
- Project valued less than $10,000 or greater than $100,000
- Feasibility studies, energy audits or projects which include carbon offsets
Case Study
YMCA Geelong
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We’re Here to Help
Geelong Sustainability wants to see our community powered by 100% renewable energy, and leading the transition to net-zero emissions. We are here to support organisations on their renewable energy journey and are willing to provide independent advice free of charge. We are here to help in the following ways:
- Provide independent and impartial advice about the benefits of renewable energy systems at your facility.
- Help you understand and determine your eligibility for government rebates and incentives.
- Assist you to access grant funding or provide a interest-free loan for the project from the Community Energy Revolving Fund
- Help you source quotes from Clean Energy Council accredited solar retailers.
- Support you in the evaluation and selection process of a preferred provider.
- Discuss the project with your organisation's management team or committee.