Media
release - 17 April 2009 - Australia's capacity
to develop advanced solar thermal technologies
took another step forward today with the
opening of a testing centre in Adelaide.
Minister for the Environment,
Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett, officially
launched a solar testing facility at the
University of South Australia's Sustainable
Energy Industry Support Centre.
"This cutting-edge
testing centre is now available for industry
use and to support the research and development
of solar hot water, solar heating systems
and other solar technologies," Mr Garrett
said.
"This Australian
facility will encourage industry innovation
and improve our solar technologies, delivering
better quality products to Australians sooner.
"This comes at
an opportune time, with the Government's
$3.9 billion Energy Efficient Homes Package
set to assist more than 300,000 households
to install solar hot water systems, bolstering
the solar hot water industry."
Minister Garrett said
the Sustainable Energy Industry Support
Centre's key focus is on solar hot water
applications in Australia through independent
testing, product development and monitoring
services to support local manufacturers
and suppliers of solar hot water systems.
At the facility, solar
thermal technologies are put to the test
in a range of ways, including measuring
thermal performance of solar collectors,
checking the impact of rainfall and large
hail stones, evaluating safety and performance
during extended periods of no hot water
draw-off and protection against freezing
temperatures.
"By contributing
$410,000 towards the development of this
testing centre, the Australian Government
is investing in research facilities that
directly benefit our solar industry, which
in turn is delivering a major component
of the Energy Efficient Homes package, supporting
jobs at this critical time" Mr Garrett
said.
The Solar Hot Water
Rebate was increased to $1,600 on 3 February
2009 and will run until 30 June 2012. The
rebate is available for people who replace
an existing electric hot water system with
a solar or heat pump hot water system between
3 February 2009 and 30 June 2012. This includes
owner-occupiers, landlords or tenants.
Since the announcement
of the Energy Efficient Homes Package the
Government has received more than 10,000
applications for the solar hot water rebate
and more than 7,000 applications for insulation
components that will eventually see ceiling
insulation installed in around 2.7 million
homes across the country. The package is
a critical component of the Government's
Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan,
and will support thousands of jobs in manufacturing,
distribution and installation during the
global financial crisis.
+ More
$1.2m puts the solar
in Adelaide Solar City
Media release - 17 April
2009 - Adelaide will add new renewable energy
into its power supply with the announcement
of more than $1.2 million from the Australian
Government to support the installation of
solar panels at the Detroit Diesel building
at the Keylink Industrial Estate, Rundle
Lantern and the Adelaide Central Market.
“I am delighted that
more of Adelaide’s icons will be powered
by solar technology,” Minister for the Environment
Peter Garrett said.
“If we're going to be
serious about lowering our emissions and
producing energy in a cleaner way, then
solar has a key role to play.
“Adelaide is demonstrating
that solar technology can play an important
role in generating power across the city
for business operations, public art, commercial
market places and public transport infrastructure.
“The forward-thinking
environmental vision of the Adelaide Solar
City consortium and the associated businesses
will see Adelaide enhance its reputation
as a solar powerhouse.
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MTU Detroit Diesel Australia
facility - Keylink Industrial Estate
A 50 kilowatt BP Solar
photovoltaic system will be installed at
the Detroit Diesel building in the Keylink
Industrial Estate, generating about 70,000
kilowatt hours of renewable energy each
year, the equivalent of 20 per cent of the
Detroit Diesel Australia building’s total
power needs.
“An observation deck
and a dedicated project website will ensure
information about the benefits and technical
aspects of using renewable energy are available
to private industry and the community,”
Mr Garrett said.
“The Detroit Diesel
photovoltaic system will form one part of
an integrated approach to sustainable energy
management in the Keylink Industrial Estate.
The estate has the potential to become a
model of how sustainability can be achieved
within the industrial and commercial sectors.”
Rundle Lantern
Plans for a 50 kilowatt BP Solar photovoltaic
system are underway for Adelaide City Council’s
Rundle Lantern. When the system is installed,
it will generate more than enough power
needed for this public art display.
“This innovative public
art display is not only creatively engaging
but will become environmentally inspiring,”
Mr Garrett said.
Adelaide Central Market
A 50 kilowatt BP Solar photovoltaic system
will be installed at this high visibility
site without detracting from the important
historic fabric of this iconic building.
“The Adelaide Central
Market attracts people from all over Adelaide
and will soon be one of the most energy
efficient commercial centres in the CBD,”
Mr Garrett said.
Adelaide Central Bus
Station
A 50 kilowatt BP Solar photovoltaic system
of 320 panels was commissioned in February
2008 and has generated more than 94,000
kilowatt hours of electricity – far more
than anticipated.
“It is pleasing to see
solar technology performing so outstandingly
and supporting the public transport system
so well,” Mr Garrett said.
Golden Grove Recreation
Centre
A four kilowatt solar photovoltaic system
has also been installed in the City of Tea
Tree Gully by Origin Energy, the lead proponent
of the Adelaide Solar City.
“The system, installed
at the north-east’s premier indoor arts
and recreation centre at Golden Grove, is
in the heart of the Solar City catchment
area,” Mr Garrett said.
Adelaide Solar City
is part of the Australian Government’s Solar
Cities initiative. The program helps households,
businesses and the wider community better
manage their future energy needs and will
help to build a low-pollution future for
Australia.
For more information
about the Australian Government’s Solar
Cities Program please see www.environment.gov.au/solarcities
+ More
Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park Authority appointment
Media release - 15 April
2009 - Minister for the Environment, Peter
Garrett, today announced the appointment
of Daniel Gschwind as a member of the Great
Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
“I am pleased to announce
the appointment of Mr Daniel Gschwind to
the Marine Park Authority. Mr Gschwind has
extensive knowledge and experience with
the Great Barrier Reef tourism industry
and is well respected within the industry,”
Mr Garrett said.
“Tourism is the single
largest industry operating in the Great
Barrier Reef. It generates around $5.1 billion
in economic value each year. Mr Gschwind’s
knowledge, experience and connections within
the tourism industry will be invaluable
in this context.”
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and other
Legislation Amendment Act 2008, passed in
November 2008, requires that one member
of the Authority have knowledge of or experience
in the tourism industry associated with
the Marine Park.
Mr Daniel Gschwind will
fulfill the new legislative requirement
and provide a strong leadership role as
a member of the Authority.
His appointment recognises
that the tourism industry, as a key user
of the Marine Park, has an important role
to play in protecting the Great Barrier
Reef so that future generations may also
experience this incredible environmental
asset.
Mr Gschwind is currently
the CEO of the Queensland Tourism Industry
Council and is involved in a number of Great
Barrier Reef-related board and committees
including the Reef and Rainforest Research
Centre and the Queensland Environment Minister's
Tourism Forum.
Mr Gschwind has been
appointed for a four-year term. Mr Gschwind
joins Mr Russell Beer, Ms Melissa George,
Mr Ken Smith and Dr Russell Reichelt as
members of the Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park Authority.
The Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park Authority is the principal adviser
to the Government on the care, development
and management of the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park.
