Indigenous communities turn to renewable energy to break cycle of welfare - all in one solar street light
They are as far as two from near.
National Community Energy Conference in Melbourne City Hall to discuss solving community energy problems. Melina rupee Ken
Massimo, from the first nation of Lubicon Cree, Canada, said her community has achieved incredible results in renewable energy.
"My community is seriously affected by fossils.
But we have decided to make the transition to renewable energy and have solar equipment installed to power the 20-year-old health center. 8-
"The kW system," she said.
It is one of the largest solar projects in Alberta, built in one of the most unlikely places --
Located in the heart of Canada's oil sands. The 80-
To create more green jobs and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, solar panel projects have been developed.
But the community energy program is still in its early stages in Australia, says Kado Kumar, director of West Australia's leonola Katampul Aboriginal company.
"My community is in the process of investing in renewable energy, so, by June, there will be panels on our roof and battery packs in the building," he said . ".
"In a community of about 200 people, we have about 9 to 10 buildings, so hopefully by then people will be able to see significant savings in the family budget.
"He is eager to help break the welfare cycle through renewable energy.
"We found that these residents have low incomes and society.
So a large part of their household spending comes from electricity . "
"We want to reduce household electricity spending by installing solar panels and batteries.
"This has been called energy poverty, and the proportion of household income is higher in terms of energy costs.
In some remote indigenous communities, household energy bills can reach up to $2,000 a quarter.
Installation of solar panels can save 75 cents.
Tom Nockolds, a volunteer at community energy group Pingala, said renewable energy will also provide an opportunity to upgrade skills and make money.
"They create jobs at a much higher rate than any other form of energy, such as coal --
So often these jobs are where they need them, "said Mr nockolds.
"Creating a local industry for these communities is a great opportunity.
"Someone needs to install the panel, someone needs to maintain the panel and someone needs to check if the panel is working properly.
All of this is the opportunity to work locally, which means money stays in the local economy.
He said community energy organizations such as Pingla are expected to overcome the obstacles to these projects.
"We didn't make these projects the supportive policy environment needed for a simple process," said Nockolds . ".
"Essentially, we are at the junction of a heavily regulated energy industry and a heavily regulated financial sector.
Leaving aside the complexity of dealing with social housing and local Aboriginal lands boards, and all the complexity and regulations that cover the top, we can see that such projects are difficult to get approved.
"But MS Loubicon said something encouraging --
Mas Mo took the lead in the Canadian community.
"I hope other communities can learn from it because I know the communities here want to make the transition to renewable energy," she said . ".
"So I hope that by sharing my stories about our community, it will inspire other communities to know that they can do the same, and it is possible.
I think renewable energy is a beacon of hope.
"It is actually more in line with native philosophy and values, because it is renewable energy, not extracted, it comes from an infinite source, not a finite source.