Solar Cities: A catalyst for change

Posted by Clean Energy Future 6 months ago

The Australian Government is partnering with the community and industry to trial a range of products and services under real-world conditions in seven ‘Solar Cities’ across Australia.

Each Solar City trials a unique combination of energy options such as energy efficiency measures for homes and businesses, the use of solar technologies, cost reflective pricing trials to reward people who use energy wisely, and community education about better energy usage in an increasingly energy-reliant world.

Australia’s Solar Cities are Adelaide, Alice Springs, Blacktown, Central Victoria, Moreland, Perth and Townsville.

The Solar Cities initiative was launched in 2004 to showcase sustainable energy models that help consumers and retailers to monitor their energy use and use energy more wisely.

The Solar Cities program is demonstrating achievements, including ways to:

Lower household energy bills though increased energy efficiency;
Put downward pressure on electricity prices through deferring electricity infrastructure upgrades; and
Increase the uptake of Solar energy.

A wide variety of exciting iconic photovoltaic (PV) systems have been installed in prominent locations around many of the Solar Cities, demonstrating the possibilities and benefits of solar energy generation to commercial enterprises and the general public. They include:

The world’s first solar electric bus, ‘Tindo’, which is powered by a 50 kW PV system in Adelaide;
Australia’s largest roof-mounted solar system (at the time of installation)—a 305 kW PV system at Crowne Plaza in Alice Springs;
Australia’s largest tracking solar power system—a 969 kW PV system at Uterne solar farm in Alice Springs;
Two 300 kW PV parks in Bendigo and Ballarat; and
Western Australia’s largest solar site—eight solar powered buildings at Perth Zoo, including the elephant and reptile enclosures.

Selected highlights from the Solar Cities are featured in the Solar Cities videos, below.

http://youtu.be/04p84MeWjek

http://youtu.be/i6pwtkGGccw

http://youtu.be/v3ham2AfII0

http://youtu.be/qbcSlUKtiF8

http://youtu.be/z_VJJ87Egik

http://youtu.be/L1FeywSRdcA

http://youtu.be/qYD61IKynX8

If you live in a Solar City and would like to become involved, contact your local Solar City through their website.

More information can be found on the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency website.