Townsville: Queensland Solar City (Putting the Sun into Sustainable Townsville)
The Solar Cities Program is a $94 million Australian Government funded visionary energy initiative bringing together industry, business, governments, and communities to rethink the way they produce, use, and save energy, now and in the future. The Ergon Energy-led consortium, including the Queensland Government and Townsville City Council, is investing $15 million dollar for dollars in this world-class solar initiative.
City Solar: Community-Based Education & Involvement (CBEI) |
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Learn about communicating sustainability |
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Information Sheet (530kb .pdf) |
Solar Cities Programme
The Solar Cities Programme is a $75 million Federal Government initiative to implement distributed solar technology (including photovoltaic and solar thermal), energy efficiency, load management, smart meters, and cost-reflective pricing in large-scale grid-connected urban sites. The Solar Cities Programme forms part of the Federal Government’s long-term greenhouse response in the energy sector to move towards integrated use of low-emission supply technologies, distributed generation significantly enhanced energy efficiency, and markets that deliver responsive and effective wholesale price signals. The program is expected to run from 2005 to 2012 – 2013 (the first Kyoto commitment period). The Solar Cities program has two objectives:
In particular, the solar Cities Program seeks to identify the potential opportunities associated with
Other Solar Cities projects might include
For successful Solar Cities projects, 50% of the cost will be paid by the Australian Greenhouse Office. The Solar Cities Programme provides an opportunity to trial new sustainable models for electricity supply and use in at least four urban grid-connected areas across Australia. Adelaide has already been chosen as one of the trial cities. The opportunity for other areas to apply for funding under the program is based on a multi-phased competitive tender process running from early 2005 to late 2005. |
A solar day during the ‘wet’ season – a high maximum level of energy is recorded (up to 1400 W/m2), but clouds interrupt the amount the solar insolation (the amount of energy hitting the ground).
Townsville: Leading the way in sustainability
Townsville is a tropical City with over 300 days of sunshine per year; one of the highest of any Australian city. Townsville is a fast-growing city and is recognizing energy supply as one of the potential limits to growth. Simultaneously, greater attention is being paid to potential efficiencies in the supply and consumption of energy, particularly at the domestic and commercial levels.
Solar energy and other forms of sustainable energy incorporated with demand-side management are key aspects of a sustainable city. Recent initiatives such as the launch of the Strand Wind Project (as part of the Sustainable Townsville) and the Townsville Enterprise Energy Forum are creating increased interest in energy sustainability at the business and community levels. This is complemented by increased educational activities focussing on sustainability at the school level.
For these reasons, Townsville is well-positioned to be a leading Solar City, both nationally and internationally.
Townsville: Queensland Solar City
An Expression of Interest for a Townsville: Queensland Solar City consortium was lodged in late July 2005 as the first phase of the tender process. The Townsville consortium was one of 11 short-listed cities invited to prepare a detailed business case, The Townsville: Queensland Solar City consortium was announced as a winning bid on 26 September 2006 (16Kb .pdf).
The Townsville: Queensland Solar City project is expected to commence in July 2007.
The Ergon Energy-led Townsville: Queensland Solar City project is made up of a consortium including Townsville City Council, Queensland Government Department of Mines and Energy, Delfin Lend Lease, Honeycombes Property Group, and Cafalo Pty Ltd. Each consortium partner, as part of the Townsville project, has a discrete but complementary project element.
Townsville: Queensland Solar City project elements:
Council’s Citysolar program is about involving the community in an energy-wise response to climate change. Council’s Citysolar program will 
Inform and educate the community about energy supply, use, and conservation>> Demonstrate cutting-edge solar power technology and design in our public urban buildings and spaces
Connect with schools and community groups to drive wide-scale community change
Tips to be energy-wise (440Kb .pdf)
Townsville City Council has established strong credentials in the area of sustainable development, having already established a city-wide sustainability program, Sustainable Townsville, and established a Sustainable Development Committee.
Townsville is well placed to become one of the world’s leading sustainable cities, combining a large industrial base, leading educational establishments, and a growing population, all alongside the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.
Whilst solar panel installations are our specialty, the Watts Up Solar and Electrical team also have extensive experience in the provision of a wide range of general electrical services, in addition to offering technical consulting services. Our team are NETCC Accredited designers and installers, offering repair and maintenance services.
Our team is also committed to establishing and maintaining sound long-term and ongoing relationships with our clients and we pride ourselves on offering quality without compromise, ensuring that each and every client receives the best and highest quality products for their needs.
With superior preparation, efficiency, product knowledge, and experience. The Watts Up Solar and Electrical team are the smart choice for all solar installations in the greater Townsville, Magnetic Island, Home Hill, Charters Towers, and Ingham areas.
What is solar and why should I Install
Sunshine is the main element of a solar panel installation, with the energy obtained from the sun converted to electrical energy, that can be used to power your residential home or commercial business. The beauty of solar technology is that the energy derived from a solar panel installation can be utilized in many different ways and is environmentally friendly in addition to being cost-effective, reducing power bills and energy costs.
Watts Up Solar and Electrical provides a comprehensive solar panel installation service that includes;
- Product recommendations
- Customised solar panel design to suit your home or commercial premises
- Installation
- Ongoing repairs and maintenance services
Watts Up Solar and Electrical also offer ongoing support, so you can rest assured that we don’t just love you and leave you following the design and installation phase, we continuously work with you and are ready to assist with any issues or questions post installation.
With energy costs only increasing from year to year, there has never been a better time to install a solar energy system at your home or commercial premises, and there are also many government incentives and rebates on offer, making the installation of solar panels even more attractive.
With the cost benefits of installing a solar panel system, able to be recouped in only a matter of a few years, setting yourself up for long-term savings and reduced energy bills, ensures more money is in your pocket.
Watts Up Solar and Electrical are experts when it comes to solar installations, having completed hundreds of solar panel installations, and we have a wealth of product knowledge, and extensive installation, servicing, and maintenance experience meaning that our electricians can provide the best system and recommend only the best products for your home or commercial premises.
We recommend and regularly install the following brands of solar panels in both residential and commercial premises, in the Townsville region:
- Australian Made MC 2 panels
- RISEN, self-cleaning anti-soiling panels
- German Solar Panels
- Jinko Panels
- HYUNDAI panels
Get in In touch Today!
With so many solar panel installation options on the market, get in contact with one of Townsville’s premier solar panel installation experts today and start utilizing affordable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly energy options in your home today!
22 July 2005 – Submission of Completed Expression of Interest.
December 2005 – Shortlisted consortia announced – prepare Business Case.
April 2006 – Submission of detailed Business Case.
September 2006 – Townsville: Queensland Solar City announced a successful bid.
May 2007 – Funding agreement between Australian Greenhouse Office and Ergon Energy finalized.
July 2007 – Expected start date of Townsville: Queensland Solar City project.
Links
- Townsville Solar Cities Community Day
- Solar Cities Programme
- Ergon Energy
- Townsville City Council
- Sustainable Townsville
- Townsville State High School – TMSCE
- Australian Clean Energy Council
- Australia New Zealand Sustainable Energy Society (ANZSES)
- International Solar Energy Society
- The European Solar Cities Initiative (ESCi)
- The Climate Group
- E R O E I …what does it mean?
Solar Cities Documents
- ECOS CSIRO magazine (June – July 2006) (650Kb .pdf)
- Tips to be energy-wise (440Kb .pdf)
- Connecting People with Energy (850Kb .pdf)
Australian Greenhouse Office Solar Cities documents
- 5/12/2005 – Townsville short-listed in the race to host the nation’s first Solar Cities. Media Release (44Kb .pdf)
- Solar Cities Powerpoint Presentation (650Kb .pps)
- Solar Cities Program Guidelines (1Mb .pdf)
- Solar Cities Video Transcript
Townsville City Council
- Connecting People with Energy (850Kb .pdf)
- Media Release 29 June 2005 (100Kb .pdf)
News Articles
Solar Townsville
The information below demonstrates that Townsville is a very sunny city.
The measurement of solar energy is referred to as insolation. Insolation is measured using a number of ways.
For example, the Allunga Exposure Laboratory west of Townsville calculates that the average solar insolation (the amount of energy falling on the ground) in Townsville is 7,503 MJ/m2/yr
Solar Panel Installation and Maintenance Townsville
Watts Up Solar and Electrical are one of the Townsville region’s premier solar panel installation specialists, having more than 11 years of dedicated industry experience behind us. We are also an award-winning solar installer and the 2021 Queensland winners of Best Family Owned Solar and Electrical Contracting Business.
As a local business, we pride ourselves on offering a comprehensive solar panel installation service to both residential and commercial clients, with tailored solar solutions to best suit the individual needs of our clients.
Solar Insolation Graphs for Townsville – 5 am to 7 pm
Data from a solar energy research project at James Cook University by Dr. Harry Suehrcke has been graphed to demonstrate the varying solar insolation values over a typical year in Townsville.
Solar Cities Video Transcript
The Australian climate offers an abundance of renewable energy sources
With climate change a growing concern, we need to understand what opportunities exist now and what changes can be made for the future
Solar Cities is a visionary new Australian Government Initiative where solar power, energy efficiency, and reform of our energy market will be combined to provide a new clean energy future
This exciting $75 million program will establish at least three trial Solar Cities across Australia
Over the next 9 years, Solar Cities will deliver through collaborative partnerships between Australian, State, Territory, and Local Governments, Energy Industries, and the Community of each City
Imagine you will a community in the not-too-distant future where the whole city is working together toward a more sustainable future
Where consumers can make informed choices about how much energy they use
Where every citizen has an opportunity to implement change
Where smart meters measure the amount and cost of electricity used
Encouraging consumers to use energy wisely
A City where consumers are rewarded through energy pricing for using solar technology and energy efficiency
In less than two decades our average demand for energy will double, increasing the need for infrastructure investment
Increased air-conditioning use on hot days can strain the electricity system and cause price hikes
A Solar City can reduce the load on the grid and provide a community-structured electricity supply to complement centralized power generation
Where the sun powers all houses
Where houses are fitted with insulation, solar paneling, solar hot-water heaters, double glazing, and energy-efficient lighting as standard inclusions
Where Schools, Businesses, Shopping Centers, Community, and Industry Organisations become roles models for Sustainable Energy Practices
The Solar Cities initiative will assist Government, Industry, and Communities to develop an integrated plan to realize this vision
It will help to establish new ways of providing and using energy and play an important role in addressing climate change
The Ergon Energy-led Townsville: Queensland Solar City project is made up of a consortium including Townsville City Council, Queensland Government Department of Mines and Energy, Delfin Lend Lease, Honeycombes Property Group, and Cafalo Pty Ltd. Each consortium partner, as part of the Townsville project, has a discrete but complementary project element.
Townsville: Queensland Solar City project elements:
A perfect winter solar day in Townsville – the maximum energy recorded (800 W/m2) is less than that recorded during a summer day, but it is not interrupted by cloud cover.
Next step The Townsville: Queensland Solar City project is expected to commence in July 2007. |
| Townsville – the Sustainable Solar City – the Liveable City – Getting to the Future First |