Australia's Solar Cities
Frequently asked questions
I am a business/householder living in a Solar City. How do I get involved?
Contact your relevant Solar City consortium.
My city is not a Solar City. Can it become one?
The Solar Cities program was designed as a one-off series of trials to capture information about energy use across a variety of Australian communities. Expressions of interest to take part in the program closed on 8 July 2005 and five original Solar Cities were announced in 2006 and 2007.
Moreland and Perth were recently announced as Solar Cities, following a commitment made during the lead up to the 2007 Federal Election. Both cities submitted expressions of interest during the application process in 2005.
At this stage there are no plans to include more cities in the program.
I don't live in an area where Solar City trials are taking place. Is there anything else available to help me reduce my carbon footprint?
Information on reducing your carbon footprint and support available from the Australian Government is available at: www.livinggreener.gov.au. The Australian Government provides support for the installation of renewable energy, ceiling insulation, solar hot water systems, rainwater tanks and greywater systems, and a range of other energy and water saving measures through Green Loans.
You may also want to check with your local or state government to see what other local information or support is available.
I am interested in installing a solar hot water system or ceiling insulation. Where can I find more information about financial support provided by the Australian Government?
The Solar City trials are taking place in seven locations around Australia. If you live in one of these locations, you may be eligible for support.
If you do not live in a Solar City, the Energy Efficient Homes Package provides assistance to eligible applicants for ceiling insulation and solar hot water systems. Find out more at: www.livinggreener.gov.au
I am interested in renewable energy. Where can I find more information about financial support provided by the Australian Government?
More information on renewable energy can be found at: www.livinggreener.gov.au
I would like to supply goods and services to a Solar City, where can I find more details on this?
If you want to supply directly to a Solar City, please contact your relevant Solar City to determine whether this is possible.
My business is not located within a Solar City, but I would like to supply goods and services to one. Is this possible?
Decisions on supply and installation of products for each Solar City are made by the local consortium. Please contact the relevant Solar City directly to discuss your possible involvement.
What information is being collected?
A wide range of information is being collected from each Solar City. This will include, but is not limited to, detailed data from smart meters about energy consumption, the different methods being trialled through energy efficiency measures (such as the number of inefficient light bulbs that are replaced with compact fluorescent light bulbs) and data about the up-take of solar technology.
What is the data being used for?
The data being collected will be used to inform future energy and climate change policy. A wide variety of energy efficiency methods and solar technology are being implemented across the seven Solar Cities, and the collected data will allow us to assess the effectiveness of these trials in real world situations.
Getting involved
If you live in a Solar City and would like to become involved, contact your local Solar City.
Adelaide
Alice Springs
Blacktown
Central Victoria
www.centralvictoria
solarcity.com.au