Regional solar power systems set to expand

15th Jul 2011

The government has announced plans to assist in the transformation of regional Australia to be more reliant on clean energy.

Regional development has been identified as a crucial part of a push towards technologies such as solar panel systems than can keep regional Australia powered.

$200 million has been pledged over seven years for assistance for regions strongly affected by changes stemming from the carbon pricing scheme.

Employment and training support are included, as well as community development as the entire nation adjusts to being more reliant on renewable energy.

Key Independent MP Tony Windsor believes the clean energy future for rural Australia is bright.

 "The sorts of things that are happening now at Chinchilla and Moree … solar activities… they're the sorts of employment activities that will be out there in the future," Mr Windsor says.

The government expects that a large percentage of the $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation fund will find its way into regional and rural Australia.

The fund has been designed to help businesses make innovative developments in technologies such as solar panels, wind mills and biofuels.

A pre-existing Low Carbon Communities program will be expanded to $330 million.

This will include upgrades to the energy efficiency of council and community buildings and low-income households.

$40 million over five years will go to the Remote Indigenous Energy Program.

This aims to give the indigenous population living in remote communities access to affordable and renewable energy technology.

Emphasis has been placed on the necessity of the program to deliver 24-hour power supply to rural areas.

A $1.3 billion coal sector jobs package has been included for rural communities currently relying on the coal industry.

The government aims to address the emissions issues both in major population centres and regional Australia simultaneously.

It aims to ensure the transformation of rural communities occurs alongside more developed metropolitan areas and that they aren't left behind in the implementation and development of new energy.

The current goal set by the government is for 20 per cent of Australia's electricity supply to be produced from renewable energy sources by 2020.

Implementing solar power into regional communities is crucial as reliance on traditional coal-fire power plants is set to decline.

Regional solar has long been hailed as possessing great potential for large-scale solar systems due to natural exposure to the sun and an abundance of available land.  

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: