Another successful project was officially launched in the Social Solar Program.
State government, Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions and Eureka Orienteers funded the installation of 10kW of solar PV panels on the roof of the op shop on Howitt Street.
The project will produce 40kWh per year, resulting in operational savings of around $3200 that will be used for Uniting Ballarat's programs Lifeline Ballarat, BreezeWay Meals and Meals for Change.
On Saturday 1 December the Eureka Orienteers conducted its annual aMAZEing Ballarat team competition in Buninyong. Entry fees totalling $910 were donated to BREAZE’s Social Solar Appeal, meaning the competitors have effectively funded a 1kW of solar panels for installation on our next project. We thank organiser Monica Dickson for the support and encourage our readers to enter a team of 2,3 or 4 in next year’s event (which is always held on the first Saturday of December).
Every year the Smart Living and Building Expo donates the money raised from its Auction and Raffle to a sustainable cause.
This year they have generously donated $1,500 to the BREAZE social solar program.
The Smart Building and Living Expo showcases local sustainable building and lifestyle services and products for people planning to build or retrofit sustainable homes, and those interested in sustainable transport, lifestyle and food choices.
It runs on the last Sunday in February each year, in Buninyong. and provides an opportunity for the community to come and talk about all things sustainable.
While presenting the cheque to Paul Duggan, board member of BREAZE, Andrea Mason , director of the expo said:
"The successful Auction and Raffle team, led by Belinda Wardle were excited to donate this money to the social solar program. It is great to see the benefits of efficient, cheap and clean solar power being able to be used across the whole community."
Rather than buy someone a useless present they don't really want, with this gift, you can help a family in need and help the environment while you are at it!
Donate to BREAZE's One Dollar for One Watt campaign via GiveNow then get your certificate or email to print out for your recipient.
The One Dollar for One Watt program is a great success with total donations already exceeding $10,000.
For every $1 donated, one Watt of power will be put onto social housing.
That means that the program will be installing in excess of 10 KW over the next few months.
The One Dollar for One Watt project started by adding 1.5 kW of solar to each of four recently built units in Ballarat. These units house young single people.
Next, a combined 6.2 kW of solar was added to two townhouses in Ararat that accommodate people with a disabled family member.
Now we want to put 3.8 kW of solar on each of two properties in Stawell that are offered to young, single mums with nowhere else to go.
More properties will be added soon; we're just waiting for 'size of array' assessments to be completed and photos to be taken.
Have a look at all the properties - choose can yours from the 'Up for Adoption' list. You don't have to donate the full amount because this is our One Dollar for One Watt campaign and One Dollar is just fine.
For every $1 donated, one Watt of power will be put onto social housing.
Donations over $2 are tax deductible. Donate now!
Social or affordable housing is rental accommodation provided by not-for-profit organisation. For example, Uniting Care housing, for those in accommodation stress.
The first installation will be in Delacombe next month.
BREAZE's One Dollar for One Watt Program has installed solar panels on many social housing projects.As donations are tax deductible if you donate now you can include your donations in next years tax.
For every $1 donated, one Watt of power will be put onto social housing.
Social or affordable housing is rental accommodation provided by not-for-profit organisation. For example, Uniting Care housing, for those in accommodation stress.
Our second Social Solar project!BREAZEs next Social Solar project, called One Dollar for One Watt, will be launched at our 10th birthday celebrations, at M.A.D.E on Sunday May 28th.
One Dollar for One Watt is a collaboration between BREAZE and local social housing providers to put solar panels and/or solar hot water on suitable properties.
Social or affordable housing is rental accommodation provided by not-for-profit organisation, for example, Uniting Care, for those in accommodation stress. The first installation is on track to be installed on a Delacombe unit next month.
You can support the One Dollar for One Watt program via GiveNow.
Take Action! For more information about the project or to raise funds for the project, email
(Check out how the project is tracking by looking out our Installation Summary status.)
BREAZE is currently developing a list of supporters.
Please watch this space and support suppliers who support BREAZE,
We are currently preparing a number of resources to assist fund raising. We hope to add a lot more resources in the near future.
One Dollar for One Watt
BREAZE's One Dollar for One Watt project is looking for groups or organizations that would like to raise money so solar panels can be installed on affordable or social housing in our region. This is an important project because it means more renewable energy, reduced emissions and improved social justice.
If these are important issues to you, your group or organisation, then contact BREAZE and start fundraising for the future today.
We are currently preparing a number of resources to assist fund raising. We hope to add a lot more resources in the near future.
One Dollar for One Watt - What can I do with one watt?
OK - that's a really good question! What can be done with one watt? Now in this situation, we are talking about generating or making one watt of electricity.
As long as the sun is shining and conditions are good, each individual roof top solar panel generates, or makes, approximately 250 watts so you could easily power:
Popcorn is good to snack on while you're watching TV or using your iPad, right? Trouble is you won't be able to microwave your popcorn because a typical microwave needs 900 watts to run.
Now let's be clear - conditions are rarely ideal so we have to base our calculations on one solar panel generating 180 watts rather than 250. This means that a typical solar panel could run 60 iPads (180 watts/3 watts = 60 iPads) or 4 TV’s (180 watts/45 watts= 4 TVs) when the sun is shining but you would need 5 solar panels (180 watts x 5 panels = 900 watts) to run your microwave and enjoy that popcorn.
Now what if we store the energy from one solar panel for one hour? You could run your iPad for 60 hours (instead of running 60 iPads) and your TV for 4 hours (instead of running 4 TVs) but your microwave for only 12 minutes (180 watts x 60 mins = 10,800 watt/hours divided by 900 = 12 minutes).
All good to know huh!
Below are the answers to a some FAQs (if you have a new question, email it to and we will give you an answer and add it to this site).
Q. How much money do we have to raise?
A. Any amount; it is all helpful and appreciated.
Q. Can we have a particular house that we can focus on?
A. Yes. Email BREAZE at and tell us how much money you plan to raise and give us the name of a contact person we can liaise with. We will tell you what houses are available.
For privacy reasons, we will only be able to give you a general description of the house such as the town or suburb it is in; how many bedrooms it has; how many people live in it; and general information about the circumstance of the tenants such as any disabilities or special needs. In most cases, we will be able to supply a photo.
If you want, we can create a special Give Now campaign for you with your organisation or group's name.
Q. How do we get the money to BREAZE?
A. You can get the money to BREAZE in one of the three ways.
Q. We can't issue tax deductible receipts for the donations we receive. What should we do?
A. Not all donors want a tax deductible receipt but if they do, BREAZE can do this for you. Ask your donors to make their donation directly to BREAZE or via the Give Now site.
Q. How will we know how much we have raised if our donors use BREAZE's sites?
A. If you don't want to handle donations yourself or some of your supporters want a tax receipt, then email BREAZE at and ask us for a campaign name for your group. After we have worked out a short campaign name with you, then ask you donors to use that name with their own name, when they make a donation. At agreed intervals, we can let you know how much money has been received as a result of your efforts.
Q. Has BREAZE got any resources we can use for fundraising purposes?
A. Yes we have. Click here to see what you can use.
Q. We've never done any fundraising before. Are there any rules we should be aware of?
A. Yes there definitely are! BREAZE assumes that you are following all fundraising rules. If you are not sure about how to fundraise, then you can check out most of the rules here.
MEDIA RELEASE
Social Enterprises Celebrate Unveiling of Ballarat’s First Community Renewable Energy Project
What: Photo opportunity as BREAZE will formally hand over a 30kW rooftop Solar Power installation to Ballarat Regional Industries funded by donations and a Commonwealth Government grant.
Where: At BRI’s Sebastopol facility, 108 Walker Street
When: 10am to 11am Thursday 6th October 2016
Who: Invited are representatives of BREAZE, BRI, donors and Catherine King MHR.
This Thursday, Ballarat’s first community renewable energy project will be unveiled when Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions will hand over a 30kW rooftop solar electricity generation installation to Ballarat Regional Industries, a social enterprise providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
BREAZE launched a fundraising appeal for its “Social Solar” project in October 2015 and by August this year had raised $21,515 in donations and $12,975 through a Commonwealth Stronger Communities Program grant.
The 65 Social Solar donors and Federal Member for Ballarat have been invited to the handover event, to witness the turning on of the installation and unveiling of names of the donors.
BREAZE President Ian Rossiter said “Our 65 donors were motivated to fund the project through its capacity to reduce BRI’s expenditure on electricity, its significant reduction in Ballarat’s greenhouse gas emissions and to establish tax deductions through the BREAZE public fund. The project will allow operational savings made by BRI on electricity charges to deliver enhanced employment opportunities for Ballarat people with disabilities, while transitioning the organisation to a lower carbon footprint”
Modelling of current electricity use indicates that the installation will generate 47% of BRI’s annual consumption and reduce Ballarat’s greenhouse gas emissions by 23.5 tonnes CO2 equivalent per year.
(Not for Printing)
Further comments and interviews are available from Ian Rossiter President BREAZE who can be contacted on 0467 220 442 or .
There are multiple way to donate to Social Solar by BREAZE. The options are given below.
Please note that all gifts, above two dollars, are tax deductible.
If you want to use your Visa or MasterCard, then go to the donation site GiveNow and follow the prompts. You will be issued with a tax deductible receipt straight away, then GiveNow will forward your donation to us. Many charities use this site.
If you want to donate via a Direct Deposit or cheque, then stay on this page and follow the prompts. We will issue you with a receipt within a week of receiving your donation.
You can keep track of how the donations are coming along via either GiveNow or the BREAZE Facebook page.
| Online | Direct Deposit | Post a cheque |
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BREAZE Inc Bank Australia BSB Number: 313140 Account Number: 12024478 |
PO BOX 1301 BAKERY HILL Victoria 3354 Australia |
BREAZE is still excited that we have completed this project as it represents exactly what we stand for – increased renewable energy and reduced emissions but with even more benefits than those.
The $36,000 raised allowed the installation of a 30 kW rooftop solar power system at Ballarat Regional Industries' Walker Street facility. The installation will ensure BRI operates on renewable energy! saves money on power costs and has capacity to employ more people with disabilities. The donated funds of $23,000 are being provided to BRI as an interest free loan, to be repaid over a long period, which in turn will allow BREAZE to fund more community renewable energy projects.
Ballarat Regional Industries (BRI) is a not for profit organization providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
BREAZE thanks the many donors who have shown their commitment to reducing Ballarat's greenhouse gas emissions. This project will reduce emissions by an estimated 483 tonnes of Carbon dioxide over the next 15 years
BREAZE also acknowledges the valuable contribution made by 
Peter Lambert Design and Chris Murphy from AC Accounting in the development of this project.
You can donate to the next project!
Social Solar by BREAZE - Good for the Environment - Great for the Community
Social Solar by BREAZE uses donations and grants to supply solar panels and/or solar hot water to not-for-profit community organisations. This results in more renewable energy in our region, reduced emissions and social justice, which is exactly what we stand for.
Our first project was 30kW of solar panels for Ballarat Regional Industries' (BRI) Walker Street factory. BRI estimate that the savings they will make from their reduced electricity costs will allow them to employ up to three more people with disabilities. This is a great social outcome on top of a positive environmental outcomes. This project is now complete.
Our second project, called One Dollar for One Watt, is a collaboration with social housing providers to put solar panels and/or solar hot water on suitable properties. This is an ongoing project where we ask other organisations and groups to fund raise on behalf of BREAZE. For details about fund raising for the project, then then please read our Fundraising Information..
If you would like further information about any of these projects, then email .
Used to select articles showing status of one dollar for 1 watt installations.
