The Mildura Rural City Council has taken another step in its commitment to renewable energy, installing a new 99 kW rooftop solar system at a key sporting precinct in the Victorian regional centre.
This new system is expected to produce over 114,000 kWh of clean electricity annually, covering about 15% of the facility’s total energy needs.
MRCC Completes Solar Installation at Mildura Sporting Precinct
Installed on a building at the council-owned Mildura Sporting Precinct (MSP), the new 99kW solar system features 198 panels rated at 500 W each. The installation is expected to reduce the precinct’s annual electricity bill by up to $19,000.
Victorian Council Receives $585,000 in Grants for Solar Project
To fund the project, the MRCC secured $490,000 from the Australian government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program, along with a $95,000 grant from Sustainability Victoria’s Community Power Hubs program.
Federal Local Government Minister Kristy McBain said the government remains committed to collaborating with local councils nationwide to deliver priority projects.
“It’s fantastic to see councils delivering future-focused, energy efficiency projects like this with our support, reducing council operating costs, and delivering social, economic and environmental benefits to local communities,” she said.
The LRCI program has funded more than 100 renewable energy projects nationwide. A few other examples include:
Berrigan Shire Council in New South Wales is using $900,000 to upgrade community building rooftops, preparing them for future solar installations while reducing heat absorption.
In the Northern Territory, West Daly Regional Council is delivering a $300,000 net-zero vehicle parking facility in 2025 featuring solar panels.
Meanwhile, the Shire of West Arthur in Western Australia is using $182,000 of its funding to boost efficiency at a local swimming pool, a project that includes installing a new solar system.
MRCC to Exceed 1 MW Solar Capacity by 2025
With the addition of the new solar system, MRCC’s total solar power capacity now stands at 890 kW across its buildings, putting it on track to exceed 1 MW by 2025.
This progress aligns with the council’s Towards Zero Emissions Strategy, which aims to fully electrify all council facilities by 2030.
As part of a 10-year agreement, the local community group Sunraysia Sustainability Network will receive 50% of the annual financial savings generated by the system.
The council is also empowering the wider community, supporting local businesses to install over 2 MW of solar through environmental upgrade agreements (EUAs).
This initiative allows a lender to provide upfront funding for green upgrades, which businesses then repay through their council rates.
