The first of dozens of solar power systems to be installed for remote Northern Territory communities was commissioned on Monday.
Maningrida is the first of 30 communities to have a significant solar installation up and running through the Federal and NT Government’s $55 million Solar Energy Transformation Program (SETuP).
The NT Government has kicked in around $27 million, with the remainder of funding coming from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). In total, 10MW of solar panels will be installed under the scheme.
“The Territory has one of the best natural environments in the world, and to keep it that way it is important we all do our bit to act on climate change,” said NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner.
“Our renewable target of 50% by 2030 will see more jobs, greater reliability and cheaper power prices. This project has also created local jobs and boosted skills – it’s another way we are helping empower the bush and building safer, stronger communities.”
The 50% renewables target is the centrepiece of the State’s Government’s Roadmap To Renewables vision.
SETuP PV installations at Maningrida will save around 230,000 litres of diesel fuel a year. Diesel isn’t just polluting, it’s also a very expensive commodity in remote areas of the Northern Territory; with it costing considerably more than elsewhere.
The Maningrida project consists of 2,500 solar panels that will produce around 4,000 kWh of clean electricity a day – or enough to power 130 households in the community and reduce its reliance on diesel fuel by 15 per cent.
It’s expected another 10 communities will have systems installed under the program this year.
SETuP is being managed by the Power and Water Corporation.
In other related news out of the Northern Territory, the State’s enhanced Home Improvement Scheme is well under way. The scheme offers vouchers up to $4,000 in value to go towards home improvements, such as the installation solar panel systems and solar batteries.
Applications are open until 31 December 2017 or until funding is exhausted – which is a distinct possibility given the popularity of the previous (and less generous) program.
