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The Spark

The Union Show

 

Solar's the go

A new Office of Solar Energy and a $30 million boost to support renewable energy technology will drive new investment and the development of cleaner energy in Victoria, according to Premier John Brumby, who said a $30 million funding boost would support the development of alternative energy technologies.

This initiative is about partnering with industry to develop the technologies needed for the future to deliver clean energy for Victorian households, says the government. The funding will be available for parties interested in developing pilot-scale demonstration projects or research and development proposals for sustainable energy technologies in areas such as solar, wave, geothermal and bio-energy.

In addition to the $30 million fund, Mr Brumby announced a new Office of Solar Energy to bring together under one umbrella the work being done on solar energy in Victoria.  The new office will become the first point of contact for industry, small business, the community and educational institutes looking for information about Victoria’s solar potential and work already underway. 

Complementing the establishment of the Office of Solar Energy is the creation of a Medium Scale Solar Working Group, which will examine current barriers to investment and what additional measures are required to encourage the use of solar energy in Victoria.  ETU secretary Dean Mighell has been appointed to the working group.

The working group will be chaired by Tony Wood, Director, Clean Energy Program of the William J Clinton Foundation, which was set up by former US President Bill Clinton to focus on worldwide issues such as climate change.

Other members include technical experts in the solar and finance industries as well as representatives from the unions, the commercial building sector and the community:

  • Ian Porter – Alternative Technologies Association
  • Cameron O’Reilly – Energy Retailers Association of Australia
  • Andrew Blyth – Energy Networks Association
  • Peter Lunt – Vic Super
  • Dean Mighell -  Electrical Trades Union
  • Mark Twidell – Australian Solar Institute
  • Mark Clover - ANZ
  • Rod Menzies - Clean Energy Council
  • Damon Moloney - Green Buildings Council

 

For more information on Victoria’s solar energy programs and resource visit the Office of Solar Energy Victoria website at 

www.dpi.vic.gov.au/solar

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