Out in the community: our latest events

The first quarter of the year is often busy in the community energy calendar, and this year was no exception. Here are two moments that stood out:

Climate Action Week Sydney — 9th-15th March 2026

Pingala was delighted to host a session at Climate Action Week Sydney this quarter: "Solar for everyone - making solar work for strata and social housing." It was a great opportunity to share how we're helping renters and people living in apartments and social housing access renewable energy - ensuring more people can benefit from solar, even when they've traditionally been locked out.

A big thank you to the team at EnergyLab for hosting us at their venue, as well as for bringing together a powerful lineup of conversations, ideas, and action across the week.

Goulburn Community Solar Farm launch — 21 March 2026

On 21 March 2026, Pingala joined more than 200 people on a 2.5-hectare site in North Goulburn to mark something twelve years in the making": the opening of NSW's first community-owned solar and battery farm.

At 1.4 MW of solar capacity with a 4.07 MWh battery, the farm is expected to generate around 2,400 MWh of renewable electricity each year — enough to power approximately 500 homes.

It started in 2014 with a small group of frustrated locals who wanted to do something about climate change. What followed was more than a decade of feasibility studies, fundraising, planning approvals, and sheer persistence. The cooperative ownership structure gives each of the 288 members one vote regardless of shareholding size, ensuring democratic governance- with shares ranging from $400 to $100,000. Beyond financial returns, a portion of annual profits will go to a Community Fund to address energy poverty in Goulburn, with 100 per cent of those funds directed to people in need.

For Pingala, the Goulburn launch is a reminder of what is possible when communities commit to the long game. Projects like this don't just deliver clean energy- they demonstrate a model of local ownership and shared benefit that keeps returns in the community. That template matters, and we were proud to be there for this important occasion. A huge congratulations to all involved.

For more information, visit: https://goulburnsolarfarm.com.au