Highlights:
- National charity CORENA is calling on the local community to help the iconic Capri Theatre to install solar.
- Adelaide’s iconic Capri Theatre will soon have a new rooftop solar and battery system.
- The project cost will be funded by an interest-free loan from climate action charity, CORENA.
- The $155,302 interest-free loan is sourced entirely from community donations. Fundraising is now underway to fund the project and reduce emissions.
- CORENA has given $1.17 million in interest-free loans for 50 separate community emission reduction projects.
A grassroots organisation that finances climate action projects is calling on donors to help Adelaide’s iconic Capri Theatre install a new 71.8kW rooftop solar and 51.2 kWh battery.
National charity, Citizens Own Renewable Energy Network Australia (CORENA), is fundraising to help the non–profit cinema reduce its energy consumption and carbon emissions. CORENA’s funding is sourced entirely from ordinary Australians who donate to their revolving climate fund which assists community organisations to install renewable energy and reduce their carbon emissions.
CORENA already has the majority of the funds to finance the Capri Theatre project and fundraising is underway to raise the remaining amount. For details of this upcoming project and the opportunity to assist with a tax-deductible donation, click here https://corenafund.org.au/52-capri-theatre-coming-soon/
The Capri is an independent not-for-profit cinema run by volunteers and it houses the Theatre Organ Society’s unique world-class theatre pipe organ. The majority of the theatre’s energy use is in the afternoon and evenings, and by storing excess solar energy in an on-site battery rather than sending it to the grid, this energy can be used onsite at peak demand times, thereby allowing greater uptake of solar in the community and indirectly reducing emissions.
The roof of the heritage-listed theatre is not suitable for normal solar panels, so instead a new lightweight type of solar panels will be used.
The soon to be installed solar system and battery are expected to avoid an estimated 94,458kWh of grid electricity/year, which is equivalent to 17 average homes using zero-emission renewable energy instead of grid electricity. It’s expected that solar will reduce Capri’s electricity bill by $32,500 per year – allowing the theatre to invest resources back towards their core purpose of supporting the arts.
Capri Theatre’s President, Ian Carter, states “The Capri has been making a concerted effort to reduce its impact on the environment for a number of years, by upgrading to LED lighting, improving recycling efforts and purchasing compostable consumables. As a not-for-profit, run mostly by volunteers, the Capri is also very conscious of its expenditure. The rising cost of electricity makes transitioning to solar and battery powered energy the natural next step for the organisation right now and we are extremely grateful that this is possible for us through CORENA’s funding programme.”
CORENA operates Australia’s longest running donor-driven revolving fund for practical climate action. CORENA offers interest-free loans to not-for-profit, community and social-enterprise organisations for projects that reduce their carbon emissions. Citizens who want to help reduce emissions make donations to collectively crowd-fund these community climate projects. These donations are then returned to the fund in the form of loan repayments, and these funds, plus new donations, are then used again to fund future projects.
CORENA offers interest-free loans to community focused organisations to fund the following project types:
- Solar installations
- Energy efficiency upgrades (including LED lighting, building insulation etc)
- Replacing gas appliances (including water/space heating, cooking) with energy efficient electric alternatives.
- Purchasing electric vehicles
- Any combination of the above – or talk to us about any other project type that will reduce emissions.
To date, CORENA has provided over $1.17 million to finance 50 completed climate action projects. These projects have avoided 4,500 MWh of grid electricity which equates to 823 average households having switched to using 100% renewable energy instead of grid electricity for a year.
CORENA’s Patron and Adelaide local, Monica Oliphant AO, DUniSA, shared her fond memories of the Capri, stating “CORENA is pleased, on behalf of our marvelous donors, to support the Capri to reduce their emissions and long-term energy costs. I pass the Capri Theatre regularly and it’s terrific to see its distinctive art deco/moderne styling, especially in this age of closing and repurposing of picture theatres. A visit there is a special event and prior to the start of the movie the amazing Wurlitzer Organ emerges slowly from beneath the stage, the organist playing as it rises. It has the most beautiful and imposing sound. It’s always a great start to an evening out.”
Other community organisations are encouraged to apply for a CORENA interest-free loan. CORENA provides technical advice and assistance and hosts monthly online Q&A sessions to assist community organisations who want to learn more about CORENA loans – full details are here https://corenafund.org.au/apply-for-a-project-loan/
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