What is involved in your role as General Manager at Alice Solar City?
I have overall responsibility for the operation and delivery of the Alice Solar City project, which involves a broad range of activities across residential, commercial and large-scale solar and energy efficiency projects. I manage a team of ten who are delivering the project with a range of roles and skill sets, and I believe I am very lucky to have such a great team.
The project is being delivered by the Alice Springs Town Council on behalf of a consortium of local public and private organisations, including the Northern Territory Government and the Power and Water Corporation. Therefore, a big part of the role is liaising with and coordinating the consortium and reporting progress to them – and to the Federal Government, the major project funder.
The project has a budget of more than $15 million over its five years of operation, and so financial management is a big part of the role. Another key aspect of our project is community engagement, and so my position also involves overseeing a range of marketing and community activities, and the development of a range of information materials.
What motivated you to become part of the solar industry?
I have a background in electrical engineering, and for quite some time have had a strong interest in renewable energy and its policy. Therefore, when the opportunity came to join the Alice Solar City team, I jumped at it.
What have been some of the key achievements of the Alice Solar City project?
Since launching in March 2008, over 2,400 households have registered with the program, a figure that represents close to 25 per cent of all the households in Alice Springs. Before we launched, there were just two grid-connected systems in Alice Springs, and now there are close to 500.
The projects installed as part of Alice Solar City are a major feature of what has been achieved. The 305 kilowatt (kW) Crowne Plaza installation was the largest building-mounted photovoltaic (PV) system in Australia at the time of its completion, while the Alice Springs Airport 235 kW dual axis tracking system was the first of its kind installed in Australia. Furthermore, the 1 megawatt Uterne project is the largest tracking system installed in the country, and is Australia’s most productive solar PV installation.
The commercial sector has been very active under the Alice Solar City banner also, with customers of all scales making significant investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Over 371 kW of solar PV has been installed on commercial buildings, and under the program we’ve supported a range of large and small energy efficiency projects.
What top two steps does the solar industry need to take to be cost-competitive with traditional energy generation?
I would say a high priority is to level the playing field by phasing out the sizeable subsidies that more traditional energy sources receive.
The other is to dispel the perception that renewable energy cannot be a serious contributor to our energy supply system and that the problems associated with its variability are insurmountable.
What is in the pipeline for Alice Solar City in 2012?
It is going to be a big year for our project, with a large focus on evaluating the results of our residential and commercial trials, and on encouraging the community to continue to make energy savings and renewable energy investments.
With our current funding arrangements due to end in June 2013, we will be telling the stories of the energy-saving journeys our customers have taken, and encouraging members of the community who have been thinking about acting at some point to act now, while our project is still available.
How do you see the solar industry playing out in Australia over the next 20 years?
Solar is going to be a major player in our energy mix much faster than originally anticipated. The industry will also mature in terms of improving regulations and standards, reduce reliance on subsidies, and hopefully give more caution and long-term thinking to consumers looking to purchase.
