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September 12, 2006

Solar City to Advance Renewable Energy Down Under

The Australian government endorses trial solar project as part of a $75 million initiative.
Adelaide, Australia [RenewableEnergyAccess.com]

Australia's first Solar City is hoping to set a precedent and pave the way for communities across the country to adopt more renewable energy resources and solar technologies.

Consumers will be able to purchase the PV panels, made by BP Solar in Sydney and SLIVER cell technology from Origin Energy's Adelaide plant, using discounted loans. The project also plans to help low-income and rental households in the community share in the benefits of the project through other cost-saving initiatives.

The trial energy project will double the current capacity of photovoltaic (PV) panels in Southern Australia and provide energy savings of AUD $5 million [US$3.7 million] per year.

The proposal aims to install PV panels on more than 1,700 homes in the northern part of Adelaide, roll out 7,000 "smart meters" and help residents save around AUD $200 [US$150] a year on electricity bills.

Chosen last month out of 23 cities to host the trial project, Adelaide was congratulated by Australia's Prime Minister John Howard for embracing the visionary concept.

Consumers will be able to purchase the PV panels, made by BP Solar in Sydney and SLIVER cell technology from Origin Energy's Adelaide plant, using discounted loans. The project also plans to help low-income and rental households in the community share in the benefits of the project through other cost-saving initiatives.

The Adelaide Solar City consortium -- Origin Energy, BP Solar, Big Switch Projects, City of Salisbury, Mawson Lakes Development and the ANZ Banking Group -- will receive up to AUD $15 million [US$11.2 million] through the Australian Government's $75 million [US$56.5 million] Solar Cities initiative. The consortium expects to raise an additional AUD $38 million [US$28.6 million] from industry and other partners.

Solar Cities is part of the Australian Government's $2 billion climate change strategy that aims to develop clean, low emission technologies; build an effective global response to the issue; increase understanding of climate change science; and help communities adopt renewable energy.
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Reader Comments (6)
 
No image available
September 13, 2006
of coures it will take time. the best thing we can do is try to shorten the time by spreading education. i just bought a solar power magazine subscription for the local high school and i chalange all readers to do something similar. social change needs help.
Comment 1 of 6
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September 13, 2006
With most of the world's current power supply coming from coal and other fossil fuels, we need a transition to clean, renewable energy sources that will protect the world's health, environment and quality of life. A commitment to clean energy would reduce pollution, create millions of high tech jobs, diversify our energy sources, add to global energy security and save billions of dollars. A much-needed transition to solar, wind power and other renewable energy in every region of the world holds the promise of a better future for us, our children and future generation
Comment 2 of 6
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September 13, 2006
Every step forward is goodness ... but this is still really a token effort when so much more could be done ....

"BP Solar in Sydney and SLIVER cell technology from Origin Energy's Adelaide plant, using discounted loans." ..... means that government is sponsoring local industry (as they should) in a similar way that the California 'Million Solar Roofs" is sponsoring Silicon Valley industry.

... but Adelaide is powered but a large gas fired plant surrounded by acres of ground only used by trail bike riders on weekends .... if they really wanted to kick butt, they could turn the gas plant into a hybrid with the new CSP solar troughs, (cost competitive with gas) ..... and conserve the Moomba gas reserves which are in decline .... but the problem is .... SA's largest local company, (Santos) is the company supplying the gas .....


..... Paradox
Comment 3 of 6
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September 16, 2006
This is a very nice effort in improving the enviornment. I too have set up a zero energy home in Surat in India. I have 1.3KW Peak Solar Plant with a battery bank which is enough to cater to most of the power needs of my house 24 hours a day. I also use solar water heating system to heat water and a concentrated solar cooker to cook food. So an integrated effort is required to accept and make the non-conventional sources a part of our life style.
Comment 4 of 6
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September 21, 2006
It's a step forwards at least. Does anyone know or can provide the specifics for this "discounted loan" deal please? I want to know what the ideal loan package would be for the potential solar investor to become an actual solar investor (and solutions must also work for the financial institution doing the funding!)...
Comment 5 of 6
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January 31, 2007
It's not as great as it might first seem. The Solar Cities program is funded by cutting other subsidies and huge ammounts of that $2 billion are going to coal and gas companies.

The $500 million Low Emissions Technology Demonstration Fund has approved five projects, four of them, totaling over three quarters of the allocated funds, are for untested coal or gas based programs with target dates out to 2030.

Addtionally they have cut subsidies for domestic solar installations by half and will further reduce it's subsidies over this year by another 25%. Subsidies have been cut so badly that Earnest from SolarZone in Warrigal Road Victoria tells me the industry is in decline and installers are going out of business due to the governments reductions in subsidies.

checkout http://www.conferences.unimelb.edu.au/aie2006/files/4A1%20Smedley%202.pdf
Comment 6 of 6
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