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Renewable Energy News

FRIDAY 17 APRIL, 2009 |

$1.2M For Adelaide Solar City Projects

by Energy Matters

Adelaide solar city
Minister for the Environment Peter Garrett has announced over $1.2 million from the Australian Government to go towards installation of solar panels at various locations around Adelaide.

A 50 kilowatt BP Solar PV panel based system will be installed at the Detroit Diesel building, generating about 70,000 kilowatt hours of renewable energy each year -the equivalent of 20 per cent of the building’s total power needs. An observation deck and a dedicated project website will be incorporated to help educate the community and industry about the benefits and technical aspects of using renewable energy.

Plans for a 50 kilowatt system are also underway for Adelaide City Council’s Rundle Lantern, which will generate more than enough power needed for the public art display.

A 50 kilowatt solar farm will be installed at Adelaide Central Market without detracting from the important historic fabric of the building.

The Adelaide Solar City project has already seen a four kilowatt solar photovoltaic system installed in the City of Tea Tree Gully at the Golden Grove Recreation Centre. A 50 kilowatt grid connect solar power system consisting of 320 solar panels commissioned at the Adelaide Central Bus Station in February 2008 has already generated more than 94,000 kilowatt hours of electricity – far more than anticipated.

Also announced today by Minister Garrett's office today was the opening of a solar thermal testing centre in Adelaide to support the research and development of solar hot water, solar heating systems and other solar technologies. The Australian Government has contributed $410,000 to the centre.