THE Graytown community is ahead of its time as they installed solar panels on the community centre roof last week.

The Graytown Community Hub is being powered sustainably after the committee received Strathbogie Shire Council funding to install solar panels.

The hub committee received $23,000 in council’s 2019/20 budget for the installation.

Previously powered by a generator, the equipment was noisy and impractical due to the increasing cost of fuel with the closest diesel located in Nagambie, an almost 30-minute drive.

The solar panels were entirely funded by council and are an example and a major breakthrough for other communities within the Strathbogie Shire.

Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor Chris Raeburn said council undertook a request for quotation process and Euroa-based company BD North East Electrics were selected as the preferred tenderer.

“This is one of the first completely off-grid systems installed by council and we are proud to support the Graytown Community Hub in this way,” Cr Raeburn said.

“The hub will now be powered year-round by a sustainable energy source and members no longer have to deal with the difficulties associated with running a generator.

“The system will have significant capacity for the current uses of the site and the battery has the ability to plug-in to the existing generator to top up the battery if required.

Julie Sims is Graytown Community Hub committee secretary and treasurer which is composed of five members.

“It’s so much better than to have the generator,” Ms Sims said.

“Solar panels are better for the environment, it makes everybody’s life easier

“Solar panels are also better for the earth, it involves less petrol, less chemicals, less pollution.

“They are simply better for our health.

“Our little community is very excited, we are very excited.

“As Graytown is a small remote area having a community centre means that we can engage with our neighbours in a safe environment.

“We hope to use the community centre for more events now we have solar power.”