Rooftop solar comes to Ronald McDonald House

A solar Christmas has come early for the families of sick kids in western NSW thanks to the donation of a rooftop solar installation at Ronald McDonald House in Orange by four solar energy companies.

Since Ronald McDonald House Orange opened its doors in April 2015, more than 165 families have made the house their home while their child is receiving treatment at Orange Health Service; prior to this, families had to provide their own accommodation. The house is in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Now Trina Solar, Tigo Energy, Solar Juice and Dynamic Solar have come together to provide the house with an 8.32 kW grid-connected solar system worth $24,000. The project is being led by Dynamic Solar, based in the nearby village of Lucknow and operated by Craig and Leah Tinson.

“Leah Tinson from Dynamic Solar has been the driving force behind the project and has been instrumental in bringing all the companies together for this important contribution to our community,” said Ronald McDonald House CEO Rebecca Walsh.

The project sees Trina Solar is supplying the solar panels, Tigo Energy the DC optimisers and Solar Juice the SMA inverter home manager, energy meter and rails. All installation is being carried out by Dynamic Solar, also the designer of the system.

“The installation of the solar panels will make a marked difference to our electricity costs and energy efficiency,” Walsh said.

“It is expected we will save thousands of dollars a year in power costs, which can now be redirected to services to support our families on a daily basis.”

Image caption: Left to right — Craig Tinson, Dynamic Solar; Rebecca Walsh, General Manager of Ronald McDonald House Orange; and Harry Chani, Solar Juice.