NEW England and north-west residents are being invited to invest in the 4.6 MW community-owned solar and battery storage project Manilla Solar, with expressions of interest opening and community engagement roadshow events across the region planned this week.

Communities living within 160km of the project and national investors who see the value in the project are being invited to invest.

The Manilla Solar project was first conceived in 2012 and in 2023 successfully raised $435,000 from 82 investors to acquire the project.

The aim is to attract investors who live within 160km of Manilla to keep the power within the local community.

The campaign kicks off with an invitation sent to 35,500 residents across New England and the north-west who have been invited to consider the project. The project also welcomes investors who want to support the region and the idea of community ownership.

The project invites community members to meet the directors Emma Stilts and Gerald Arends by attending one of the community engagement roadshow events which presents an opportunity for potential investors to ask any questions they have to project directors.

The roadshow will take place from October 24-27 and will visit Bingara, Narrabri, Boggabri, Gunnedah, Quirindi, Manilla, Tamworth, Armidale and Guyra.

New England and north-west residents are being invited to invest in the 4.6 MW community-owned solar and battery storage project Manilla Solar.

Manilla Solar is gearing up to raise up to $4.5 million through community investment.

That’s equivalent to 2300 people investing $2,000 to meet this target, with investments ranging from $100 to $10,000.

Sophisticated investors who can invest more would need to provide a Sophisticated Investor Certificate.

Manilla Solar anticipates a second investment raise in April 2025, and potentially a third investment raise for the battery (in 2025-2026).

This current investment raise will run from October 26 to November 15 and will be operated via equity crowd-source funding platform Swarmer.

Investment details will be updated via www.manillasolar.com.au

If successful, the project – the largest crowd funded project in Australia – could be under construction by April, 2025.

The project is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Manilla Community Renewable Energy Inc. under the Regional Community Energy Fund.

Emma Stilts, president of Manilla Community Renewable Energy Inc. and director of Manilla Solar Pty Ltd says “It feels so possible”.

“The people I speak to, they understand the opportunity, the science and technology. They see the importance in supporting this type of project. Creating a model for energy production that improves our local l economy and brings our community together.”

Gerald Arends, director of Komo Energy and of Manilla Solar said it was a natural step-up from similar raises for the Grong Grong Solar Farm and the Goulburn Dispatchable Community Solar Farm projects.

“We expect other communities will follow the example of Manilla – communities want to see local energy production and have a say in how these projects deliver benefits locally and regionally,” he said.

Community Roadshow 2.0 Details:

Bingara: Imperial Hotel, 3pm 24 Oct

Boggabri: RSL club, 6.30pm 24 Oct

Narrabri: Geni.Energy, 7.30am with coffee, 25 Oct

Gunnedah: Civic Centre, 10.30am 25 Oct

Quirindi: Community Hub, 3pm 25 Oct

Tamworth: The Tamworth Hotel, 5pm, 25 Oct

Manilla: Community Hub Opening, 116 Manilla St. 2346, 10am, 26 Oct

Tamworth: Weswal Gallery, 3pm, 26 Oct

Armidale: Kent House, 11am-12pm  27 Oct

Guyra: Neighbourhood Centre, 2pm 27 Oct