Solar Farm at Carnarvon opened today

6/10/05 Energy Minister Alan Carpenter officially opened one of Western Australia's largest privately owned and operated solar farms in Carnarvon today.

6/10/05
Energy Minister Alan Carpenter officially opened one of Western Australia's largest privately owned and operated solar farms in Carnarvon today.
The 16-kilowatt solar farm includes 144 solar panels, and is designed to benefit the wider community as the power it generates is fed into the Carnarvon electricity grid.
"The solar farm will reduce the use of fossil fuels by supplying Western Power with an alternative energy supply that does not produce greenhouse gas emissions," Mr Carpenter said.
"Carnarvon has excellent solar resources and it is great to see a private venture taking advantage of this natural asset."
The Minister congratulated the owner of the solar farm, Lex Fullarton, for his dedication and commitment to the project.
He said Western Power had also played a pivotal role in providing technical assistance and support throughout the planning, development and construction of the solar farm.
Funding for the project was provided through the Renewable Remote Power Generation Program, which provides rebates for renewable energy systems serving pastoral stations, Aboriginal communities, tourism operations, homes and other facilities in areas outside of the South West and Pilbara grids.
"More than one megawatt (MW) of solar generating capacity, or about 10,000 solar panels, have been installed in regional WA under the Renewable Remote Power Program since it started in 2001," Mr Carpenter said.
"This demonstrates increasing confidence in the reliability of solar energy in regional Western Australia."
Mr Carpenter said renewable energy projects across the State, including solar and wind farms, currently had a total capacity of about 80MW. Another 170MW of renewable energy projects were either under or committed for construction.
The Renewable Remote Power Generation Program is an Australian Government initiative, which is funded by diesel excise paid in WA. The program is administered by the State Government's Sustainable Energy Development Office in WA.
Minister's office: 9222 9699