What are solar cities?
Fact sheet 1
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, April 2009
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Solar Cities
What are Solar Cities?
The Solar Cities program was developed by the Australian Government to bring industry, business, governments and communities together to rethink the way they produce, use and save energy.
Australia's seven Solar Cities are located in Adelaide, Alice Springs, Blacktown, Central Victoria, Moreland, Perth and Townsville.
Each Solar City will trial a unique range of energy options, such as energy efficiency measures for homes and businesses, pricing trials to reward those people who use energy wisely, the use of solar technologies and community education about energy use.
The Cities are managed and partly funded by consortia comprising industry, business and governments in partnership. The Australian Government contribution to the program is $94 million.
The Solar Cities program was announced in 2004 and will continue until mid 2013.
Why be involved?
The Solar Cities program is about more than just solar power and saving energy. It is about understanding how you and your community can change your behaviour when helped with the necessary tools, information and the right incentives.
Your local Solar City can offer professional advice to help you make decisions about how you can start saving energy - and helping the environment - right away. Your Solar City team can help identify the best measures in the trial program for your home or business.
By participating in a Solar City, you will have access to a range of incentives which will lower the up-front cost of making sustainable energy choices.
You will also help your community work together to manage energy use and act on climate change.
Will I make a difference?
All Australians can make a difference by reducing their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
By participating in one of the trials you will help test practical and integrated ways to understand and manage our energy use. The data you generate will help governments, industry and the community:
- better manage energy production and use;
- reduce greenhouse gases; and
- protect Australia's environment.
How do I get involved?
The Solar Cities program is available to householders or businesses that reside or operate in one of the trial locations.
To learn about what your local Solar City has to offer or how you can participate in the program, please contact your local Solar City or the Australian Government for more information.
Further information
Visit the Australian Government's Solar Cities website: www.environment.gov.au/solarcities
Or contact your local Solar City directly:
Adelaide Solar City: www.adelaidesolarcity.com.au
Alice Springs Solar City: www.alicesolarcity.com.au
Blacktown Solar City: www.blacktownsolarcity.com.au
Central Victoria Solar City: www.cvga.org.au/main
Moreland Solar City: www.morelandsolarcity.org.au/
Perth Solar City: www.perthsolarcity.com.au/
Townsville Solar City: www.townsvillesolarcity.com.au
© Commonwealth of Australia 2009
Information contained in this publication may be copied or reproduced for study, research, information or educational purposes, subject to inclusion of an acknowledgment of the source.
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