Farming The Sun just brought in its first shipping container full of solar panels at a massively discounted rate, which will now be installed on homes and businesses throughout Tamworth.

The program is coordinated by Starfish Initiatives. Company director Adam Blakester said by buying in bulk the community can afford top-of-the-line solar panels.

“Once we get 200-kilowatts worth of orders, which is about 50 houses, we can get a whole shipping container of solar panels for about 25 to 33 per cent off the retail price,” Mr Blakester said.

Calala local Graeme Harris was the first Tamworth resident to get the discounted panels installed.

Mr Harris and his wife had been looking at solar for a number of years and couldn’t pass up the massive discount.

Orders are open for the next bulk shipment, which Mr Blakester said would arrive around March, if the interest remained steady.

“The goal is to do one megawatt, so 1000 kilowatts, over the next year,” Mr Blakester said.

“At the moment about 17 per cent of houses in our region have solar panels and we want to get that to 18 per cent. It’s cheaper than electricity from poles and wires and much better for the environment.”

The bulk buy deal is being offered across the region. 

For more information visit farmingthesun.net.