The Australian Government's $75 million visionary new Solar Cities initiative is helping to create a new energy future for Australian communities. Through "realworld" trials in key urban locations across Australia, governments, industry, businesses and residents are working together to change the way we think about and use our energy.

Solar Cities is creating new partnerships to help people save energy; drive the use of Australia's leading-edge solar energy technologies; reward energy efficiency and solar power generation; and showcase to all Australians the economic and environmental benefits of wiser energy choices.

Around Australia, governments, industry and communities are working together to secure Australia's energy future.

What is the Blacktown Solar City project all about?
The Blacktown Solar City project is about giving residents and businesses in the Blacktown local government area the education and tools they need to use energy more wisely and reduce energy consumption and associated emissions.

By employing solar power, smart meters, energy efficiency and new approaches to electricity pricing and financing, this project will provide cost effective energy solutions and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Importantly, it will also provide valuable information that has the potential to help shape future energy markets and policy across different levels of government.

Why Blacktown City?
The Blacktown City area was identified as being an ideal Solar City location because of its emerging energy issues, its representativeness of the future Australian community, the opportunity for real electricity infrastructure deferral, and the engagement of the Blacktown City Council and local electricity network/retailer, Integral Energy.

Blacktown City is an area whose population growth is fuelling energy demand and placing additional pressure on an already constrained network.

This situation is not unique to Blacktown but reflects the energy challenges that many Australian cities are going to need to tackle.

Adopting technologies like solar PV can reduce the risk of blackouts and help offset the need for costly investment in electricity infrastructure.

Is it compulsory to participate?
Not at all. All participation is voluntary but strongly encouraged!

Who can participate?
The project includes packages and measures which ensure it is accessible to all segments of the community. Products and services offered by the consortium range broadly in price, with a number being free. As well, the consortium will be offering the entire project area with energy saving education which will provide all residents, businesses and community organisations with the information they need to make real energy savings.

Any resident or business in the Blacktown local government area (LGA) can participate.

The Blacktown City LGA comprises the following 47 suburbs: Acacia Gardens, Arndell Park, Bidwill, Blackett, Blacktown, Colebee, Dean Park, Dharruk, Doonside,Eastern Creek, Emerton, Glendenning, Glenwood, Hassall Grove, Hebersham, Huntingwood, Kellyville Ridge, Kings Langley, Kings Park, Lalor Park, Lethbridge Park, Marayong, Marsden Park, Minchinbury, Mount Druitt, Oakhurst, Parklea, Plumpton, Prospect (part), Quakers Hill, Riverstone, Ropes Crossing, Rooty Hill, Rouse Hill (part), Schofields, Seven Hills, Shalvey, Shanes Park, St Marys (Part), Stanhope Gardens, The Ponds, Toongabbie (part), Tregear, Vineyard (part), Whalan, Willmot and Woodcroft.

Will the project be accessible to any citizens outside the project area?

The project is focussed on the Blacktown City LGA, however, it has been designed for easy replication and roll-out beyond the project area if it proves successful.

What kinds of things will be available in the project? What can my family do?
A range of different packages will be available featuring solar PV, solar hot water, free energy efficiency lightbulb packs, free energy audits, smart meters, demand management, cost reflective pricing and innovative financing. Households, businesses and community organisations will have the opportunity to do as much as install a solar electricity system on their roof, or as little as install energy efficient light bulbs as part of the community's efforts to reduce energy consumption, bills and greenhouse gas emissions.

How many emissions does the bid anticipate the project will save over its lifetime?
By project end, Blacktown Solar City will be generating energy savings worth over $3 million and 25,000 tonnes of avoided greenhouse gases per year.

Do householders or members of the community have to pay to be involved?
Products and services offered by the consortium range broadly in price, with a number being free. There will be a range of energy saving solutions and financing packages to ensure that the program is widely accessible. Also participants will be able to access all available government rebates and incentives.

And, we expect that the consumers themselves will benefit through lower energy bills and a greater reward for the energy they produce through their solar PV.

As a resident of Blacktown, why should I care?
Blacktown Solar City represents an opportunity for the whole community to come together and lead the country and the world as an example of a sustainable energy future.

This is a chance to reduce your impact on the environment, giving your children and future generations a cleaner, healthier future.

All residents will have the opportunity to make a difference.

Where can people find out more about the project?
You can find out more about Blacktown Solar City by calling 1800 619 322.

How do I sign up to participate?
You can sign up by filling out an online form or by calling our call centre (1800 619 322) and providing us with your details. The consortium will then follow-up with you to so you can start making a difference!

Are there any terms and conditions on participation in the project?
Yes. Specific terms conditions apply to each Solar City offering. To take advantage of the many special offers in this project you need to agree to fill out a survey on your energy behaviours and then allow the project consortium to monitor your energy consumption for the project period (2007-2013). This ongoing monitoring of your energy consumption is done automatically via an advanced meter and will not impact your day-to-day life. You may also be invited to complete follow-up surveys later in the project to help us assess your experiences with the program.

What is your privacy policy? Will my personal information be secure if I sign up and participate?
Our privacy policy is listed here on our website.

About Blacktown Solar City

Where is Blacktown City?
Blacktown City is a local government area in western Sydney, 35km west of the Sydney CBD. It is home to over 280,000 making it the most populous local government area in NSW and the third largest in Australia.

About the Consortium

Who are the consortium members?
The Blacktown Solar City consortium includes BP Solar, Integral Energy, ANZ, Landcom, Big Switch Projects and Blacktown City Council.

What will these consortium members roles be?
BP Solar is the leader of the consortium and will be providing all of the solar power systems as well as project management, marketing and communication services for the project.

Integral Energy will be leading the collection of data under the trial and managing the offer of smart meters, innovative pricing and a number of energy saver trials, including air-conditioning cycling and pool pump control.

Blacktown City Council will be taking a leading role in community engagement and promotion.

ANZ will be providing a range of financial products to assist in increasing the affordability and accessibility of the products and packages available under the trial.

Landcom will be offering solar energy packages including solar power PV systems to its customers at The Ponds.

Big Switch Projects will be designing and managing business and residential energy efficiency trials and education programmes.

How is the Department of Housing involved in Blacktown Solar City?
DoH will be trialling replacing electric hot water systems with solar hot water systems and installing Solar PV in order to reduce the energy bills of its tenants.

About the solar packages

Will solar be put on every home in Blacktown City?
No, however, participation in the program will be open to all residents, businesses and community organisations. The options for participating don't only include solar power either.

Will the solar electricity and other initiatives go on schools, government buildings or private homes?
The consortium intends for solar PV to go on all three. There is a focus on solar PV being installed on homes, however, packages will also be made available to schools, community organisations, business and industry.

As well, the consortium will be installing a number of "iconic" solar PV systems which will make it clear that Blacktown City is now a Solar City.

Will solar systems be more affordable in Blacktown Solar City?
Yes, the packages will be priced to offer advantage to the Blacktown City community. There will be discounts of up to 50% off the recommended retail price for installed solar systems, including all available government rebates and incentives.

What type of discount/advantage for Solar PV systems?
This varies depending on the type and nature of the packages. Solar PV systems will be offered with discounts of 30-50% off current market rates.

What solar options will be available from Blacktown Solar City and how much will they cost?
- 1kW solar PV systems will be offered to residents of the Blacktown LGA for $4,998 including GST
- 1kW solar PV systems with solar hot water will be offered for $7,808 including GST
- 1.5 kW Solar PV systems will be offered with financing through an ANZ home loan for $10,166 including GST
- 1kW Solar PV systems will be offered to Landcom customers at The Ponds development for $3,691 including GST

I am planning to buy/build a new home at The Ponds, how do I take advantage of the discounted Solar PV offers for new homes?
Landcom is offering discounted solar PV systems to its first 120 interested customers that purchase or build a new home at The Ponds. Landcom will assist Ponds customers who take up this offer by organising to have a solar power PV system installed in their new homes and a solar panel mounted on their roofs. This solar power PV system will harness the sun for electricity.

Will all of the solar offers have finance packages available?
Yes, ANZ are offering attractive finance options across all of the solar packages within Blacktown Solar City.

You can choose to pay for your new solar system through an ANZ personal loan or an Instalment Plan on a new ANZ Credit Card, or you can take advantage of ANZ's award winning home loans to spread the investment over a longer period of time.

Do I have to use ANZ finance to purchase a solar package?
For the 1kW Solar PV offer and the combined 1kW Solar PV/Solar Hot water packages you can choose to take advantage of the special Blacktown Solar City finance options provided by ANZ or you can choose to provide your own funding. For the 1.5 kW Solar PV packages, these are being offered exclusively with financing through an ANZ home loan.

How many homes will receive solar PV as part of this project?
The number of homes taking up solar will depend on the level of interest in the community, however, with the increased affordability of systems and finance packages available in the project, the numbers will be in the hundreds, if not thousands, by project-end.

I own an investment home in the Blacktown LGA, can I receive the solar discounts?
Yes you can, however, the discounts would not include the Australian Government Photovoltaic Rebate component of $8,000, as this rebate is only available to home owner-occupiers. This would be the case outside the Blacktown Solar City project. So, just add $8,000 to the prices listed in the Blacktown Solar City menu booklet and on the website.

I am building a new home in the Blacktown LGA, but not in The Ponds, can I receive the solar discounts?
If you are the owner and occupier of the house you are building, then you are definitely eligible for the discounts listed for the solar home offers 1-3 in the menu booklet.

Is there a limit on the number of solar PV systems that are being offered in the project?
Yes there are a limited number of systems that are being offered so the earlier you can sign up, the better.

What incentives will remain for solar consumers outside the Solar Cities?
The Photovoltaic Rebate Program is available to all homeowners and community organisations across Australia. You can get more information about this program from http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewable/pv/index.html or by contacting your state or territory energy department.

The Australian Government recently announced an extension to the Photovoltaic Rebate Program which is open to residents and community, the size of the rebate has also been doubled. Also announced recently was an additional $123.5 million funding for the successful Remote Renewable Power Generation Programme, which is anticipated to increase access to solar energy across the vast remote regions of Australia.

What is solar power? Is it used to heat your hot water?
There are two main ways that the sun's energy can be used: to heat water (typically for use at home for showers, etc) and to create electricity which can be used normally in your home to power lights and appliances. The technical name for solar electricity technologies is "photovoltaics". Although solar hot water systems will be available within certain Blacktown Solar City packages, the focus of the Blacktown Solar City project is the installation and trial of solar electricity systems on homes, businesses, and community organisations.

Do I have to have batteries to have a solar power system?
No. Solar systems can either be connected to the electricity grid (using the grid for back-up power) or independent of the electricity grid (using batteries to provide back-up power). The focus of Solar Cities is on grid connected solar electricity systems. With such a system, you remain connected to the electricity grid. When the solar system generates more electricity during the day than you are using, it will export the electricity back into the grid and give you a credit against your bill. At night, you just use electricity from the grid like normal.

About advanced meters

What is an advanced meter?
Advanced meters (also known as "smart meters") are electronic meter devices which give customers real-time information about the amount of electricity they are using as well as the price of the electricity at any given time. As part of Blacktown Solar City, approximately 4,000 advanced meters will be installed in the project area, with a number of these including in-home displays for ease of use. As well as giving consumers more information about their electricity use, the advanced meters will play a major role in the data collection for assessing the success of the Blacktown Solar City program. If your house doesn't already have an advanced meter, one will be installed free of charge if you participate in the Seasonal Saver Trial or Dynamic Peak Pricing Trial.

About Integral Energy's Energy Saver Trials

How do I participate in the Energy Saver Trials?
Customers in a limited area will be eligible for a free Home Energy Audit. This includes parts of Blacktown, Glenwood, Kings Langley, Kings Park, Lalor Park, Parklea, Prospect, Seven Hills and Toongabbie. Call 131 002 if you would like to sign up.

What is the "Dynamic Peak Pricing Trial" all about?
If you participate in the two-year "Dynamic Peak Pricing Trial", you would be charged a premium electricity tariff during peak energy periods. But for the remainder of the year, your electricity tariff would be lower than you pay now. By simply changing the times you use non-essential energy, you can use this trial to make substantial savings on your electricity bill. And for your convenience, you'll be given clear notification no later than 11am on the days the peak tariffs apply. "Peak energy periods" are defined as 1pm-8pm on up to 12 days per year between 1 November and 31 March.

What is the "Seasonal Saver Trial" all about?
By becoming a Seasonal Saver your electricity tariff will be lower than it is now for the majority of the year. However, on business days only during extended summer months between 1 November and 31 March inclusive, the rates you pay for electricity use during afternoons (1pm-8pm) and shoulder periods (9am-1pm and 8pm-9pm) will increase. By making some simple changes to how and when you use electricity during these times, you could save money off your current electricity bills.

What is the "Pool Pump Saver Trial" all about?
This involves us automatically turning off your pool pump between 1pm and 8pm during peak energy periods for up to 12 days per year. Not only should your pool stay clean, you can also save on electricity costs and the environment in the process. Your pool pump must be less than 7 years old to take part.

What is the "Air Conditioner Saver Trial" all about?
Volunteer for this trial and for a maximum of 12 days a year your air conditioner will be remotely controlled to automatically switch off for 20 minutes every hour during "peak energy periods". A previous study has shown that household temperatures rise by an average of only 1-2°C during this time, whilst reducing energy consumption by up to 30%. "Peak energy periods" are defined as 1pm-8pm on up to 12 days between 1 November and 31 March.

Are any of the Blacktown Solar City offerings limited to certain suburbs?
The residential energy audits, Air Conditioner, Pool Pump, Seasonal Saver and Dynamic Peak Pricing trials being conducted by Integral Energy are limited to residences within the following suburbs:

Suburb	Post Code
Blacktown	2148
Glenwood	2768
Kings Langley	2147
Kings Park	2148
Lalor Park	2147
Parklea	2768
Prospect	2148
Seven Hills	2147
Toongabbie	2146

About business offers

What packages will be offered for Businesses in the Blacktown area?
Commercial premises will be offered the opportunity to install discounted Solar PV systems and undertake discounted energy efficiency and demand reduction audits.

I'm a small business owner, am I eligible to participate in the discounted energy efficiency and demand reduction audits?
As the energy efficiency audits will cost $5,000 to $10,000 they are targeted at medium to large businesses with a monthly energy bill of $2,000 or more.

About other offers

I am not a home owner but rent in Blacktown, how can I participate in the project?
Renters will be able to participate in many of the project offerings, including: i) free energy audits; ii) free 6-packs of energy efficient compact fluorescent globes; iii) pricing trials. Many renters will be able to participate in the Pool Pump Saver Trial and Air Conditioner Saver Trial.

What discounts will be available to me to insulate my home?
You will save up to 10% on the standard retail price for ceiling insulation and receive an additional $200 subsidy from the Australian Government for participation in our Blacktown Solar City Energy and Comfort Trial. All prices include GST and there may be additional charges for houses with ducted air-conditioning or difficult to access ceiling cavities. For example, an average 150 square metre house the standard retail price for ceiling insulation is $1000 to $1100. Our special offer will save you up to $300 or, put another way, you will pay approximately $800 to insulate your ceiling. [From 1st October 2007, you could also be eligible to receive an additional rebate of up to $300 per household from the NSW Climate Change Fund.]

How do householders get a Free Energy Audit?
Customers in a limited area will be eligible for a free Home Energy Audit. This includes parts of Blacktown, Glenwood, Kings Langley, Kings Park, Lalor Park, Parklea, Prospect, Seven Hills and Toongabbie. Simply call us on 1300 654 675, and we will arrange for an experienced energy efficiency adviser to visit your home at a time that's convenient for you - completely free of charge and obligation.

What if I am not in this trial area and still want to audit my energy?
You can audit your energy behaviours and consumption using the Integral Energy Calculator on the Blacktown Solar City website at http://www.integral.com.au/cfmx/calculator/calculator.html. This tool will also offer you tips on how you can reduce your energy consumption and bills by making simple changes around the home.

How will Blacktown Solar City be involved in the community?
The project consortium will be involved with a presence at a number of community events throughout the year, including the Blacktown Festival and Environment Expo. The consortium will also look to sponsor a limited number of local events and initiatives as part of its public relations campaign.

What changes have occurred to Solar Rebates since the Federal Budget announcement on the 14th May 2008?
In the recent federal budget the Australian Government changed the eligibility criteria for domestic solar electricity rebates. The previous Photovoltaic Rebate Program (PVRP) has now been replaced by the Solar Home and Community Plan (SHCP). Under the Solar Home and Community Plan rebates are now means tested and only available to households with a family taxable income of less than $100,000.00. For further information on rebates and eligibility through the Solar Home and Community plan please visit http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewable/pv/index.html or call 1800 808 571.

My family taxable income is less than $100,000 so will I be eligible for the rebates under the Blacktown or Adelaide Solar City offers?
Provided you meet all other eligibility criteria and there are systems available under the offer you are interested in yes, you will be eligible for the rebates under the Blacktown and Adelaide Solar City offers.

What other eligibility criteria am I required to meet?
You must own and reside in the house on which the Solar Electricity system is to be installed. You must agree to fill out a survey on your energy behaviours and then allow the project consortium to monitor your energy consumption for the project period (2007-2013) and access historical energy data for comparison. You must be technically and financially eligible for a solar PV installation.

My family taxable income is over $100,000 so will I be able to get a PV system under the Blacktown and Adelaide Solar City offers?
The Blacktown and Adelaide Solar City consortiums are working through this issue with the Australian Government. We are encouraging residents that fall into this category to put their names down on a waiting list with either Blacktown or Adelaide Solar City and the relevant Solar City consortium will contact you if a system becomes available.

I applied for a Blacktown or an Adelaide Solar City Solar Home Offer prior to the budget announcements, will I be affected by the changes?
If you have received and site inspection and accepted the provided quote then you will be processed under the old PVRP rebate scheme and will not be affected by the changes, your application will continue to be processed unchanged.

If you had not received a site inspection prior to the 13th May 2008 then your application will be affected by these changes.

If your family taxable income is less than $100,000 then you will be eligible for the domestic solar electricity rebate under the new Solar Home and Community Plan (SHCP) and your application will continue without interruption. Someone from Blacktown or Adelaide Solar City will be in contact with you shortly to confirm your eligibility and process your application.

For applicants with a family taxable income greater than $100,000, we are still working through this issue with the Australian Government. A system has been allocated to you and someone from either Blacktown or Adelaide Solar City will be in contact with you shortly to advise on progress.

How many PV systems have already been installed in the Blacktown LGA through Blacktown Solar City?
As of the 30th June 2008 the following PV systems have been installed

Solar Home Offer	Installations Completed
Solar Home Offer 1 (1kW PV)	33
Solar Home Offer 2 (1kWPV +SHW)	34
Solar Home Offer 3 (1.5kW PV with ANZ homeloan)	2
Solar Home Offer 4 (1kW new builds)	0
Dept of Housing ( 1kW PV)	26

How many existing Blacktown Solar City applications will be affected by the federal budget changes?
The following applications had been received prior to the Federal budget announcements but had not been processed with respect to PVRP eligibility and as such will now be subject to a means test for eligibility to funding:

Solar Home Offer	Current Applications now to be considered under new guidelines
Solar Home Offer 1 (1kW PV)	54
Solar Home Offer 2 (1kWPV +SHW)	45
Solar Home Offer 3 (1.5kW PV with ANZ homeloan)	17
Solar Home Offer 4 (1kW new builds)	12
Dept of Housing ( 1kW PV)	0

How many PV systems have already been installed by BP Solar in the Adelaide Solar City trial area through Adelaide Solar City?
As of the 30th June 2008 the following number of BP Solar PV systems have been installed in Adelaide:

Solar Home Offer	Installations Completed
1.5kW PV with ANZ homeloan	6
1kW new builds	6

How many existing applications in Adelaide will be affected by the Federal Budget changes?
The following number of applications had been received prior to the Federal Budget announcements but had not been processed with respect to PVRP eligibility and as such will now be subject to a means test for eligibility to funding:

Solar Home Offer	Current Applications now to be considered under new guidelines
1.5kW PV with ANZ home loan	8
1kW new builds	19

Have installations in Adelaide or Blacktown ceased?
No, for all applications that had undertaken a site inspection and accepted a quote prior to the 13th May 2008, installations will continue as planned. Applications already received that have a family taxable income below $100,000 we will continue through the process of a site inspection, final quotation and installation. Applications already received that have a family taxable income over $100,000a system has been allocated to them and we will progress these applications once negotiations with the government are finalised.

For any new applications, we are using a waiting list and will contact applicants as systems become available.

If Solar Cities can't get funding for the rebates for people with incomes over $100K, is the project(s) are failure? Will they continue?
The Blacktown and Adelaide Solar City consortiums and the Australian Government are working through this issue and should be in a position within the next few weeks of communicating what offers will be available. The Solar Cities project consists of many different offers (most of which are non-solar) to residents as well as a substantial education and community engagement program. The project will continue to provide valuable data to the government and savings to the residents in Blacktown and the Adelaide trial areas and has already achieved substantial outcomes in the 12 months since the projects launched.

What does Blacktown Solar Cities think about means-testing for solar PV?
Blacktown Solar City will continue to work with the Australian Government to ensure the continued success of Solar Cities, noting that it is the responsibility of the Australian Government to determine how programs such as Solar Cities are administered.

What will the difference in price be for your solar systems now means-testing has been introduced?
There will be no difference in pricing for solar systems for residents that meet the means test eligibility. For residents that do not meet this, we are working through this issue with the government and should be in a position within the next few weeks to communicate outcomes.

If you don't get support from the government how many installations do you think will take place in Blacktown / Adelaide? How does this compare to your original projections?
At this stage we are reviewing how to achieve the best possible outcomes within the revised policy settings.

There are a lot of disappointed people out there who thought they could get solar PV at a good price? What do you say to them?
The Blacktown and Adelaide Solar City consortiums and the Australian Government are working together to ensure the success of the Blacktown and Adelaide Solar City projects and we should soon be in a position of communicating what offers will be available . We encourage interested residents to keep their names on waiting lists as there may still be offers available to them.

Why haven't you spoken to people on the waiting list about how this affects them?
Applicants that already have a system allocated to them will continue to have a system allocated to them until we clarified funding issues and offers available. Applicants that are currently on a waiting list will be contacted as soon as possible.