Remote households in Western Australia’s Kimberley region are seeing tangible reductions in their energy bills through a rooftop solar initiative led by Horizon Power and backed by State and Federal funding.
The Kimberley Communities Solar Saver (KCSS) program has rolled out rooftop solar installations in the remote communities of Warmun and Bidyadanga, with works underway in Ardyaloon.
The program is designed to support a just energy transition by extending access to renewable energy to remote communities previously excluded from the benefits of rooftop solar.
“We are proud the Kimberley Communities Solar Saver is already having an impact, delivering lower energy bills for residents in Warmun and Bidyadanga,” said Krystal Skinner, Acting CEO of Horizon Power.
“We look forward to extending the project to other communities in the region, helping to ease cost-of-living pressures for other residents.”
The program was announced in November 2023 as part of broader efforts supported by a $12.6 million investment from the WA Government and $7.3 million from the Federal Government through the Community Solar Banks program.
In Warmun, Horizon Power installed 422 kilowatts of rooftop solar, reducing reliance on diesel generation and providing energy savings across 78 properties. Since August 2024, the community has received nearly $30,000 in energy saving credits.
In Bidyadanga, 356.4 kilowatts of solar have been installed across 33 properties, benefitting 133 households.
Residents received their second round of energy saving credits in April, with around $33,000 in total credits distributed so far.
Installation work is currently underway in Ardyaloon, where around 21 homes are set to be fitted with rooftop solar. Once completed, approximately 85 households in the community will benefit from access to renewable energy.
The KCSS program aims to install up to 300 rooftop solar systems across five remote communities, with a total generating capacity of two megawatts.
Horizon Power estimates the initiative will deliver average annual household savings of about $450 in energy costs to roughly 430 households.
