It was formed as Dandenong Ranges Renewable Energy Association Inc. (DRREA) in 2007.
Review our Aims, History and Past Events
Neil is a long time resident of The Dandenongs who is now an active retiree.
He enjoys using the skills acquired during his working life to make a difference in his community.
Neil sees climate change as primarily a justice issue: consumption by the wealthy is disproportionately impacting the poor.
Whilst this is a global problem, Neil seeks to lead local action through Repower The Dandenongs and by personal choices: converting his home to all electric, using solar energy, driving an electric vehicle (as much as possible), conscientious purchasing, investing in ethical super, and voting for candidates who understand that our world depends on their climate policies.
Daniel has been proud to call the Hills 'home' for the last 7 years, where he lives with his family in an all-electric home that has been constructed using sustainable building principles.
Daniel is a qualified tradie with qualifications in building science and energy efficiency. He has 18 years experience as a hands-on educator in the construction industry, with a passion for practical sustainability. In 2013 he co-founded the Green Building Institute, which won Innovation of the Year at the 2016 Architecture and Design Sustainability Awards. He currently manages the Energy Smart Builders Program and Green Tradies program.
He joined Repower the Dandenongs in 2024 to use his experience to help his neigbours lower their cost of living, have a more stable grid, and to help the community transition to a low-carbon future,
Rob is the founder of Buffalo Stand-alone Power Solutions, bringing over 15 years of experience in electrical, energy and renewable power solutions. With a deep passion for sustainability and fostering community growth, Rob has consistently championed innovative technologies that address the evolving needs of clients.
His expertise lies in adapting cutting-edge products to create tailored solutions, driving both environmental and business impact.
Caroline Burgess (of Be Comfy) is a qualified home sustainability consultant and a Government accredited Residential Efficiency Scorecard Assessor. She loves empowering householders to make simple changes and impactful upgrades, turning uncomfortable, inefficient homes into comfy sanctuaries.
More detailed information on my website www.becomfy.com.au.
Caroline joined the Repower The Dandenongs committee at the AGM in December 2024.
DRREA started in September 2007 as a result of meetings at the Upwey CFA Hall and Emerald Community House Hall. The main aim set at these meetings was to promote community awareness of renewable energy. The brief description of DRREA’S ACTIVITIES are an insight into how we went about pursuing that goal.
Our first project was a partnership with Emerald Primary School. DRREA members paid for 10 extra solar panels in addition to the 2 kilowatts of panels already planned by the School. Over the next 10 years those generous members received an annual power payment from the School.
Our next project was the Upwey- Belgrave Solar Neighborhood which was a bulk purchase of one Kilowatt solar systems. It started with a public meeting in Upwey with over 100 ‘Expressions of Interest’. 12 months later only 42 houses had been installed due to shading issues. This was followed by a solar hot water bulk purchase which again had many expressions of interest, but few installations because of the installation costs.
Over the next few years DRREA organised over 40 forums with guest speakers on many aspects of renewable energy, climate science and sustainable living. DRREA also ran 4 Electric Car and Electric bike displays as well as 4 Sustainable House Tours and Field Trips.
Another feature was the help and encouragement we gave community groups to install solar systems on their buildings. DRREA worked with Emerald Primary School, Kallista Primary, the Uniting Church Emerald, The Community Health Centre Belgrave and St Marks Anglican Emerald. DRREA also worked with Cardinia and Yarra Ranges Shire to get solar on Belgrave and Emerald Libraries.
Simultaneously DRREA has been a regular stall holder at local festivals in Rowville, Selby, Emerald and Yarra Junction. This was the most naked example of awareness raising.
The remaining feature of DRREA’s activities was our organisation of local versions of Climate Change actions. DRREA worked with the following groups over many years. The ATA, Beyond Zero Emissions. Solar Citizens, 100%.org, Environment Victoria and 350.org.
When you add other DRREA initiatives like Ranges Energy, Our annual Ride 4 Solar and Emerald Going Solar it suggests that it is time DRREA updated its goals and changed with the times. Many thanks to those members who supported DRREA since 2007. I hope all members will participate in the new DRREA and support its new initiatives.
Written by Peter Cook
This map outside Emerald Community House details the commercial and community buildings with solar systems in Emerald.
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