ACT to lead the way with solar electricity?

16th Apr 2012

Solar power has become something of a battleground across Australia's states and territories – and it seems that the war is far from over.

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has long been set on welcoming the first large-scale solar electricity plant in the country and is finally taking steps to make sure this happens.

In the interest of fairness, a reverse auction has been held to decide which company will be responsible for supplying the solar panels.

For those of you who are not familiar with reverse auctions, they work by allowing rivals to undercut each other with the lowest bids, giving the governing body – in this case the ACT government – the chance to choose the best offer.

So far, 49 bids have been submitted for the project, with 27 of them making it through to the second round of the battle.

In the true spirit of an auction, there are plenty of different products for the ACT government to consider, so the finer details of the installation are still very much up in the air.

Environment minister Simon Corbell said: "Types of installations include large connected roof-mounted facilities on factories and other large buildings, and we also expect a significant number of proposals to involve ground-mounted or field-mounted facilities."

Whichever product the government chooses, it will be supported by a feed-in tariff – a process that involves consumers being paid for green energy supplied back to the grid.

Seems like a win-win situation, right? We all benefit from cleaner and maybe even cheaper energy, while the environment receives a boost at the same time.

At a time when electricity prices are on the rise, this could be welcome news to residents of Canberra and beyond.

Who knows, it might even shock other parts of Australia into action – we can't let little ACT steal all the limelight!

Posted by Bob Dawson

 

All solar power news categories

Government Rebate & Regulations
Solar Power & Technology


More Government Rebate & Regulations

The election that could cast a deep shadow on solar power
This just in: You are nothing but a means to profit for big utilities and NSW government
The Tongans know a bad solar deal when they see one
Solar feed-in tariffs: Who's getting screwed?
Australian government at a solar power crossroads
WA government admits fault in solar rebate debacle
WA Government saves millions while solar customers are up in arms
SA's solar feed-in scheme costs to rise higher
CEC slams FIT deregulation in SA
Carbon tax announcement 'just a ripple'
Industry reactions to Rudd carbon price changes
New government 'must be made aware of renewable achievements'
Solar features prominently in ARENA funding plans
Calling all solar panel installers - 'save clean technology grants'
Manufacturers set to see bright side of economic slump?
Coalition government 'could spell bad news for solar'
'Not FIT for purpose' - ACT government on tariffs
QLD government under fire for negative solar stance
China's first trading emissions scheme begins
Details of the Queensland solar controversy
Solar panel reprieve for Queensland
Tasmania's solar future no longer too uncertain
Renewable energy funding on the brink
The Clean Energy Council calls for more renewables
Reactions to renewable energy decisions from the 2013-14 federal budget
Federal budget announcement offers a mixed bag
The impact of the carbon tax
Govt energy efficiency success
Renewable Energy Target achievements
New funding for solar panels
Australia and China further carbon cutting collaboration
Examining Australia's environmental efforts
Renewable Energy Target survives its review
Solar powered cinema a possibility
New licensing will make it easier for solar installers to work across states
Renewable recommendations for WA
Renewable energy target hangs in the balance
Deadline approaching for QLD PV installations under 44 cent solar tariff
Electricity emissions down since carbon tax introduced
Reactions to RET review final report mixed
CCA: RET on track to achieve goals
Experts slam Solar Credits decision
Government support 'needed for commercial solar development'
Shadow ministers slam ARENA withdrawal
Industry expert lauds solar PV impact
Australian Solar Council chief hits back at CCA review suggestion
Australian Solar Council debuts solar electorate map
CCA report 'victory for common sense'
Productivity Commission draft 'good for solar'
SA solar campaign reaches government level
 To get your quotes, please enter your postcode: