Maldon Community Battery

  • Project type
    Community
  • Current stage
    Underway
  • Project duration
    2023 - 2026

Powercor has installed a ground-mounted 100kW/290kWh battery in Adair Street, Maldon, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country, as part of the Federal Government’s grant under the Community Batteries for Household Solar Program.

This project is being delivered in collaboration with the Commonwealth Government and DJAARA, formally the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, along with support from Mount Alexander Shire Council and our community stakeholders.

Dja Dja Wurrung artist Daikota Nelson created two artwork concepts for the Maldon community battery, reflecting the area’s strong cultural and environmental connections. Residents have voted and the preferred design Harmony Journey was chosen. Powercor has worked closely with Mount Alexander Shire Council to ensure the final design meets Maldon’s heritage guidelines.

The battery is expected to be commissioned by the end of February 2026.

Project Outcomes

Once completed the Maldon Community Battery will soak up excess solar from nearby rooftops and share the benefits of cheap, clean, and local renewable energy with nearby customers. It will service to up to 50 homes with high quality power, regardless of whether they own their own solar system or not.

An improved design

The Maldon Community Battery will be similar to the Tarneit Community Battery (pictured), but with the latest upgrades designed to improve its energy efficiency.

The ground-mounted battery is about the size of a small car and will consist of four cubicles (three for the battery bank and one for the controls) on a concrete base. It measures approximately 3.6 metre long, 1.3 metre deep, and 2.5 metre high, and undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it operates safely and complies with all required Australian standards. A new overhead cable connecting the battery to the nearest substation will also be installed.

The battery is expected to have a lifespan of approximately 10 years. After that, Powercor will either replace, repurpose, or recycle the unit in line with the manufacturer’s end-of-life plan.

Your favourite art – Harmony Journey

This artwork concept was inspired by Maldon township as well as the community connection within. If you look at Maldon through the cultural lens you will see more footprint than how you may look at it today.

The centre of the artwork depicts life within community, people sharing the township and surrounds, and how one flows to the next. The line-work is Maldon people, the community itself, standing together alongside one another. The inner layer of the artwork with blocks reflects structure, understand that this is a shared space and there are many old and existing stories within the landscape, seen through structures build, spaces shared, and stories told about today from many years ago.

Frequently asked questions

What is a community (neighbourhood) battery?

A community battery acts like a large battery for your neighbourhood and connects directly to local powerlines.

During sunny days, solar panels on roofs often produce more electricity than homes can use immediately. This excess solar energy gets stored in the community battery instead of being wasted.

When the sun sets and customers need more power, the battery supplies this stored solar energy back to local homes.

People with solar panels and those without can benefit from the clean energy collected throughout the day.

Location of project

The battery will be installed in Adair St, opposite the Maldon Hospital, with the site selected following months of engagement with homes and businesses.

Have a question?

If you have any questions or feedback email us at majorprojects@powercor.com.au.

0

Document and resources