Alice Solar City Launch a Success

Alice Solar City was officially launched on Monday 10th March. The event kicked off at 7.30am with a community breakfast followed by the official launch of the project by Australian Government Minister Peter Garrett and Northern Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson.

With about 350 people turning out for the community celebration of the launch of this exciting program the morning was a great success with a lucky local family winning a much needed solar hot water system.

For more information visit the website at www.alicesolarcity.com.au

The Project

The Alice Solar City Consortium consists of the Alice Springs Town Council, Northern Territory Government, Northern Territory Power and Water Corporation, the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre, Arid Lands Environment Centre, Tangentyere Council and the Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce

The Alice Solar City Consortium will create

• A community conscious of its unique environment and precious natural resources
• A community empowered to make informed and intelligent use of energy and water
• A national and international showcase for sustainable living and the use of solar energy

The Alice Springs Consortium, with the support of Solar Cities, will achieve this vision by

• Establishing market conditions to encourage the widespread use of solar energy and the proactive and significant conservation of energy
• Providing access to information, enabling technology and services to support these market conditions
• Encouraging and supporting changes in community behaviour through increased awareness of energy issues

Together we will embark on a four-step journey to become:

• Energy Wise: Engaged in a debate about energy efficiency and solar power
• Energy Savvy: Aware of the need to conserve energy and the things we can do to contribute
• Energy Committed: Prepared to make changes in our lives to conserve energy
• Energy Champions: A model for the rest of Australia and the world to follow

We will achieve this by:

The installation of highly visible solar installations in public places throughout Alice Springs including the Araluen Cultural Precinct and the Alice Springs International Airport. One of the key sites will be the desertSMART Solar Farm which will provide residents with renewable energy.

Commencing a residential program which will enable residents to access energy audits, receive rebates on energy efficiency measures such as solar hot water systems, access smart meters and cost reflective tariffs and install photovoltaic systems. A commercial program will also be initiated giving local businesses an opportunity to achieve greater energy efficiency in daily business practice.

Together, residents, businesses and all levels of government will work as a community to become energy champions.