Adelaide Solar City
The Adelaide Solar City was launched on 6 October 2007.
The Council areas of Salisbury, Tea Tree Gully, Playford and Adelaide City are the key focus of this innovative real-world trial.
The Adelaide Solar City consortium is working with industry, businesses and the local community in these areas to rethink the way they produce and use energy.
What is involved?
Adelaide has peak electricity supply problems and higher average domestic electricity prices than other major Australian cities. It also has a large amount of sunshine each year which makes it ideal for generating electricity with solar technologies.
Information about participants' energy use and energy related community behaviour will be collected from a range of trials which integrate the following components:
- installing significant numbers of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on residential and commercial buildings to enable measurement of energy production and use. Innovative financing arrangements will also be introduced to make purchasing solar PV systems more accessible for households
- running an extensive consumer campaign designed to find out what information best leads people to adopt Green Power
- installing smart meters and in house displays that, together with cost reflective pricing structures, will help people monitor their electricity use and manage their electricity bills. Smart meters will also assist electricity providers to better understand consumer choices and needs
- supplying energy efficiency packages and conducting energy audits of households and businesses to support energy efficient choices
- providing discounts on ceiling insulation for households and running a Comfort Trial to test the effectiveness of this insulation on household temperature and energy use
- using solar hot water and solar PV systems in some community housing properties to find out the benefits that these may provide for both tenants and building owners.
Adelaide Solar City will also have several Iconic Solar Projects installed throughout the trial area. The Adelaide Central Bus Terminal has already been fitted with a 50 kilowatt solar PV system, which generates enough electricity to power "Tindo", the world's first electric solar powered bus. There will also be several other major solar PV systems installed during the course of the Program in the trial area.
Benefits
The Adelaide Solar City Consortia expect significant community, industry and environmental benefits over the life of the program, including:
- cuts in peak electricity demand, with the potential to defer investment in South Australia's peak infrastructure
- thousands of kilowatt hours in energy savings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions each year.
The Solar City trial in Adelaide will provide valuable information and lessons to inform Australia's future energy and greenhouse policies.
Consortium members
The Adelaide Solar City consortium is joining with the Australian Government to deliver this innovative new trial. The consortium is led by Origin, with members including BP Solar, Big Switch Projects, the City of Salisbury, Delfin Lend Lease and the ANZ Banking Group.
The City of Tea Tree Gully, The City of Playford and Adelaide City Council are also playing a vital role in delivering this trial.
To find out more on the Adelaide Solar City or to become a participant if you live in the eligible Council area go to the Adelaide Solar City website: www.adelaidesolarcity.com.au
