We're passionate about creating a sustainable future. In October 2019, we declared a Climate Emergency with a commitment to promoting and accelerating a community renewable energy transition.

The community renewables program will promote and facilitate the installation of solar power, which will reduce community emissions, and in many cases, reduce the cost of living for ratepayers.

We had a great start with over 760 people getting solar panels and or a battery. We want to build on that success by growing the size of our local Virtual Power Plant so we can offer more renewable energy benefits to more people in the Mitcham community.

Absolutely. If you signup with ShineHub for solar and/or a battery (or just a battery if you already have solar) you can stay with your existing energy retailer - there's no obligation or requirement to change retailers. The same is true if you choose to install a battery and join ShineHub's Virtual Power Plant program. ShineHub's VPP  is also the only VPP on the market with no specific retailer affiliation.

We chose ShineHub through a rigorous tender process using an independent expert panel. The extensive process considered due diligence information, legal advice and a detailed assessment of ShineHub's finances and company structure. For more information about this process, read the agenda and minutes from our Full Council meeting on 22 February 2022.

We're not a renewable energy provider nor a financial institution lending money. By collaborating with ShineHub we can connect our residents and businesses with an experienced renewable energy provider selected via rigorous and independent assessment process.

No. ShineHub is the only authorised provider under the Mitcham Community Renewables Program.

We have heard of a few companies that have been claiming to be part of the program, or the bulk buy. If the quote is not from ShineHub, it's not part of the program.

If you are unsure about whether the quote you receive is in fact a quote from ShineHub as part of the program, please contact us and we will help you resolve it.

No. We are not buying or financing the Community Renewables Program. After a rigorous tender process, we selected ShineHub to collaborate with to give our community with affordable solar solutions.

Yes, you can!. About half of our bulk buy participants already had panels and just got a battery. Hear from James, a happy customer, who got a battery added to their panels as part of last year’s program.

Solar panels help generate renewable energy for your home during the day and the battery supports your power needs after the sun goes down. It’s the best way to secure affordable energy costs for the long term, allows you to have power during a blackout, and be part of the local Virtual Power Plant.

When solar panels make electricity during the day, you need to use the power straight away in the house to get the full savings.  If you don’t, your solar power goes back to the grid and you only get a very small credit in return.

By adding a battery, you can store your extra daytime solar power so that you can use it at night.  That way, you rarely need to use expensive grid power, and you aren’t leaving your electricity bill exposed to prices that seems to be flying up every year.

Hear from James who got a battery added to their panels as part of last year’s program.

A Virtual Power Plant (VPP) is a way to harness renewable energy for your local community, reducing electricity costs and blackouts at the same time.

The way it works is we have over 700 batteries connected up in Mitcham, controlled as a single group to support the local electricity network when it’s stressed.  As the Community Renewables Program develops, we aim to make it the main power source for a Mitcham Energy Plan that everyone across Council can join, not just those with solar.

On an individual level, joining the VPP allows you to make a profit whenever your battery power supports the grid during a VPP event!  It’s a great way to make a little extra money while being part of an innovative new way to power Mitcham!

Visit ShineHub's website for more information about VPPs.

Colonel Light Gardens is a State Heritage area and all development is guided by the Heritage Standards. If you live in Colonel Light Gardens and want to install solar and/or solar and battery you will need to submit a development application through PlanSA (planning portal). All applications will be referred to the State Heritage for consideration. For more information, read page 29 in the Heritage Standards. A development lodgement fee of $184 applies.

ShineHub would love to hear from local installers who are keen to get involved in the rollout of the program. To learn how you can get involved, please send an email to installations@shinehub.com.au with the subject line '' Mitcham Community Solar Program - expression of installer interest' and ShineHub's delivery team will get back to you with further information.

We recommend you submit your pre-order for the system that you are most likely to go with, or is closest to the system you have in mind. You can do that at ShineHub. From there the ShineHub team will follow up with you to answer any questions or adjust your solar system design before going ahead with anything.

No - it is simply an expression of interest. Once submitted, ShineHub will follow up with you to answer any questions you have, finalise your system design, sign off on the agreement to move ahead.

Our next bulk buy will be for Commercial property owners later in the year.  At the same time, we are also looking to install a set of community batteries so that we can unlock the benefits of the local virtual power plant for renters, people in units and apartments who are not able to currently access rooftop solar in late 2023.

ShineHub are unable to install solar panels unless all traces of asbestos in the affected roof area have been remediated. It may be possible to install a battery on your property given they are commonly installed outside, in carports or a garage.  If you are unsure please contact ShineHub to confirm.