With Western Australia's solar-friendly conditions, it's no surprise that solar energy is on the agenda for the upcoming state elections, being held on March 9.
Take WA's Greens. On January 29, they announced a $68 million plan to install solar PV panels on all public housing.
"We have around 22,000 public housing homes and apartments across WA and another nearly 8,000 community housing units," said Greens member of the legislative council, Lynn MacLaren.
"Their roofs could be used to assist householders in meeting rising utilities costs while at the same time reducing the state’s growing carbon footprint."
The Greens claim their proposal reduce the cost of electricity for some by an average of $500 a year.
Western Australia's Labor are also speaking out about their policies . Energy spokesman Bill Johnston said at the Energy Future Forum on February 27 that if the party wins the state election they will initiate new renewable energy cooperatives.
This would allow community members who may not be able to buy their own solar rooftop panels to invest in solar energy.
The leading Liberal party's energy minister Peter Collier also claims solar success as he has spoken of solar initiatives that have developed under their rule, such as Geraldton's huge new solar photovoltaic solar power plant.
It looks like no matter who wins the upcoming state election, solar energy is hot on the agenda.
Posted by Mike Peacock