Solstice Microgrid Moving Ahead at Rathdowne

Stakeholders in Villawood Properties’ Solstice Precinct microgrid gathered in at Rathdowne site this week to check on its progress.

The all-electric project harnesses solar power from the rooftops of 36 townhomes and Club Rathdowne to generate 200kW of sustainable energy with 100kW/270kWh of battery storage. It can cut 50% on electricity bills while returning 20% of power back to the grid.

The Solstice Precinct is being created by Villawood in partnership with TownLiving by Metricon, Energy Australia and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

Townhomes are coming up well and the microgrid battery installed beside the futsal/basketball court at the club, with solar panels on its roof too.

On hand to check the progress were: Prasad Tharmaraja, EnergyAustralia, James Beresford, Villawood, David White, EnergyAustralia, Steve Jennings, Metricon, Andrew Duggan , Villawood, Mike Addison, EnergyAustralia, Kim Le Cerf, DELWP, Ashwin Subramaniam, Villawood, Justine Loe, EnergyAustralia and Tina Panayi, Villawood.

The Solstice Precinct comprises 32 townhouses with 4kW solar systems, four with 3kW solar systems, and a 70kW solar system at Club Rathdowne. Each townhouse has its own solar system together with a smart home solution that provides visibility and control of energy consumption within the home and generation from the individual solar system.

An innovative, energy-saving technology for housing in Victoria, this cutting-edge development by Villawood Properties and TownLiving by Metricon, spearheads the industry’s move towards a new class of sustainable living residential housing aimed squarely at cutting CO2 emissions, addressing climate change and reducing energy costs.

Villawood Properties is leading the way with its values of innovation, creativity and passion underpinned by long-held environmental, social and governance (ESG) credentials.