Rural and regional not-for-profits across Australia are increasingly turning to clean energy solutions, motivated by a mix of financial, practical, and environmental factors.
Over the past six years, the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) has directly supported more than 50 community groups to install solar and battery energy systems, investing nearly $1.2 million to help these organisations lower costs, strengthen resilience, and pursue sustainability.
For many rural not-for-profits, the primary driver for installing solar and battery systems is financial. With energy costs rising, solar installations offer a tangible way to reduce operating expenses.
Of the more than 50 grants awarded, a third cited financial motivations, with 14 per cent aiming for improved financial security and 18 per cent seeking to bolster local economies.
The Moree & District Historical Society, for example, reported immediate benefits: “The savings which the Society is already enjoying with reduced power accounts will enable us to concentrate on further historical preservation projects.
“Without the grant funds the Society would not have been able to go ahead with the project as the huge cost would have been out of reach.”
Clean energy is also seen as critical infrastructure for disaster preparedness and continuity.
In the aftermath of events like the Black Summer bushfires, reliable power — often enabled by solar and battery systems — has become essential for maintaining operations and communications during outages.
Forty-one per cent of FRRR-supported projects identified improved community resilience as their primary outcome, with 25 per cent highlighting enhanced capacity to respond to local challenges.
The Tarnagulla Fire Brigade’s experience stated that the solar panel and battery installation “gives us as a brigade a sense of comfort that our brigade facility preparedness means we will be able to function without disruption because of the backup power supply we have installed”.
While environmental motivations are present, only a small fraction (2 per cent) of grantees cited sustainability as their primary goal.
However, many organisations value the broader benefits of clean energy, including reduced emissions and positive action for the environment.
The Manning River Aero Club shared: “I thought a 6kw solar system would be good, a 6kw solar system with a 13kw battery is unbelievable.
“The complete system has been installed for 40 days.
“In that time we have been self-sufficient for 39 of those days… I am proud that we achieved what we set out to achieve, that is reduce our costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
“Our latest electricity bill tells us our costs are down by 65 per cent for the billing period. Incredible reduction considering we only had the solar connected for a third of the period….Our greenhouse emission reduced from 0.9 tonne to 0 tonne for the month of December 2021.”
Beyond individual installations, FRRR’s Community Led Climate Solutions (CLCS) program is enabling not-for-profits to scale up their efforts, including support for First Nations-led initiatives.
Projects such as the Ngardara Cooperative’s solar microgrid in Borroloola, Northern Territory, are empowering communities to take control of their energy future and reduce reliance on diesel.
Sarah Matthee, FRRR’s Climate Solutions Portfolio Lead, emphasised the importance of local leadership: “Every place is different and the priorities of each community are different, including when it comes to responding to the impacts of our changing climate and how we continue to care for country.
“That’s why the program is flexible and funds a wide range of initiatives — enabling local organisations to seek support for the project that will be right for their context, their climate and their community and country.”
With a total funding pool of $650,000 available in the latest round, FRRR’s CLCS program continues to offer grants for both small-scale and scaling projects, supporting rural, regional, and First Nations communities to lead their own climate journeys.
As more rural not-for-profits embrace clean energy, the sector is demonstrating how local leadership, practical solutions, and community-driven innovation can deliver lasting benefits-financially, socially, and environmentally.
