Source : Perth Now news
A provocative campaign has called on Australian cemeteries to host solar panels to generate renewable energy – even suggesting placing some on graves.
Launched by solar firm Green.com.au, the campaign is challenging Australia’s 3400 cemeteries to help produce renewable energy.
The scheme has been designed by Aussie brothers David and Jono Green, who founded Green.com together to promote the use of solar power.
Dubbed The Solar Inheritance, its self-admittedly provocative campaign aims to use cemeteries to unlock renewable energy by using the grounds for solar panel use.
David Green said: “This is deliberately uncomfortable. But so is telling younger Australians to absorb rising energy costs, climate costs and housing while thousands of hectares of land sit unused in the full sun.
“We’re asking a serious question in the most unignorable way possible: why can’t the dead help power the living?”
The campaign will petition cemeteries to allocate plots to be used as small renewable energy hubs – and could even involve installing solar panels on graves.
Mr Green added: “People will say putting solar panels on graves is disrespectful, but we think leaving living Australians buried under energy bills while sun-soaked land sits unused is more disrespectful.
“Basically, you’re crazy if you don’t get solar, even if it is over your dead body.”
Should the campaign prove popular, it would not make Australia the first nation to make use of cemeteries in this way.
Already some European countries have taken the unusual step, including Spain and Italy.
Jono Green added: “Solar has always been about using what we already have – roofs, land and sunlight.
“But plenty of Australians are either missing out on the savings, don’t realise what is possible, or just don’t have the right roof.
“This campaign is about asking where else clean energy can come from, and how those savings can reach more people.”
The campaign even has its own theme tune – an original track penned by Aussie metal artist Jack Bergin of the band Void of Vision.
“The song sounds angry because the idea is angry. It’s funny, but it’s not a joke,” the Melbourne rocker said.
As part of the campaign, the firm is also launching a social media competition, with anybody who shares an Instagram post entered into a draw, and five winners claiming the cost of their year’s energy bill.
The competition will launch on June 9.
