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Renewable Energy News

WEDNESDAY 21 JULY, 2010 |

Victoria Announces Medium/Large Scale Solar Farm Initiative

by Energy Matters

Announced by Premier John Brumby a short time ago, the Victorian government has its sights set on becoming Australia's leading state for solar power through increased support for medium and large scale solar farms.

The plan would see Victoria’s electricity supply from large scale-solar farms increased to five per cent by 2020.

Visiting Silex Solar's test facility in Bridgewater with Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings, Premier Brumby said the five per cent target was Australia’s most ambitious solar commitment and would be backed by the nation’s first feed-in tariff for large-scale solar.

Premier Brumby says the initiative should see the establishment of between five and 10 large solar farms across regional Victoria and result in the state having up to 25 per cent of its power coming from renewable energy by 2020.

Victoria has set an interim target of generating 500GWh of solar power sourced electricity by 2014 - enough to power more than 90,000 homes.

Mr Brumby said the Victorian Government maintains a price on carbon is necessary in order to realise deep reductions in carbon emissions required, but that the state needed to forge ahead and tackle climate change through measures such as this latest solar initiative.

Mr Jennings said Victoria's aspirations to become Australia's solar state would also include action to support medium scale solar energy to help better utilise rooftop resources on buildings such as factories, warehouses and supermarkets. Mr Brumby said a Medium Scale Working Group would be established to advise on what type of actions are needed to drive medium-scale solar power.

The initiatives will be a significant source of jobs and investment in regional Victoria, generating between $1.5 and $2 billion in new solar investment.

Mr Brumby said these new measures and today's commitment to solar energy are part of the Victorian Government’s landmark Climate Change White Paper to be released later this month.