The Alternative Technology Association (ATA) has formed a national partnership with The People’s Solar, a crowd-funding solar start-up, to enable tax-deductible donations to support clean energy and communities.
The partnership will support crowd-funding for a huge 15kW solar system at a social housing project in Melbourne. The money saved on energy bills will be invested to support training and employment opportunities for people coming out of homelessness and getting back on their feet.
“We’re really excited about this partnership,” said Donna Luckman, the ATA’s chief executive.
“Solar power is growing rapidly around Australia and its future looks incredibly positive.”
The People’s Solar is the brain child of Tosh Szatow and Alex Houlston, and grew out of work with the Mount Alexander Sustainability Group in central Victoria.
“With a national outlook, 100kW of solar projects across Victoria to bring online and growing, having a national partner makes sense for us now,” Mr Szatow said.
“We set out to change perceptions of clean energy, from being a drag on economic growth to being a powerful force for social and economic prosperity.
“Combining a simple platform and replicable model, with a growth strategy focused on partnerships, our project pipeline has quickly grown. But it’s the combination of environmental and social impact that excites us most.”
The ATA, a national not-for-profit organisation that promotes sustainable living, has been a strong supporter and advocate for community-based renewable energy.
In 2014 the ATA was part of the coalition that organised Australia’s first Community Energy Congress and launched the Sunulator, a free feasibility calculator for medium-scale solar projects.
“Communities across Australia have a huge appetite for re-localising energy supply,” Ms Luckman said.
“It’s a classic triple-bottom-line opportunity: cleaner energy, cheaper energy and local jobs. What’s not to like about that?”
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ATA publishes ReNew: technology for a sustainable future, and Sanctuary: modern green homes, magazines.
ATA – Alternative Technology Association
ABN: 57 533 056 318
Level 1, 39 Little Collins St, Melbourne, 3000
Reception: 03 9639 1500
Fax: 03 9639 5814
[email protected]
www.ata.org.au
Sasha Shtargot
