The University of Technology Sydney is testing an idea that could help households to access the benefits of solar power without installing solar panels on their roof.
We're calling it a Solar Garden.
Solar Gardens work by installing a central solar farm, generally near a population centre. Energy customers can purchase panels in the solar farm. The electricity generated is then credited on the customer’s electricity bill.
With a Solar Garden, any electricity customer can participate in and benefit from solar energy. The solar panels may be located off-site but the household receives a similar outcome as having solar on their own roof.
Right now, there are a lot of Solar Gardens overseas but they are not available in Australia.
We want to change that. To make them work in Australia, we are developing four prototypes in different locations and one is near you.
Would you like to hear more about this idea if it goes ahead?