Solar farm inspires energy quest

The proponent of a planned $160 million solar farm near Cunderdin is encouraging people living in the Wheatbelt to explore all types of renewable energy.

Professor Ray Willis is the director of the solar energy company Sun Brilliance, which plans to have the 100-megawatt solar farm up and running by the end of the year.

This would make it the county’s biggest solar farm, with plans to sell the electricity through the spot wholesale energy market.

“Solar energy is one option when it comes to improving the sustainability of life in the Wheatbelt,” Professor Willis said.

“In the future, regional and remote communities will benefit the most from all types of renewable energy and other technologies including three-dimensional printing.

Professor Willis was encouraging households, shires, schools and businesses to explore these technologies, with the help of available grants.

These included the newly opened Sustainable Communities Grant Scheme.

This scheme was supported by natural resource management group Wheatbelt NRM through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

The group’s chief executive Natarsha Woods said financial support of up to $20,000 was available to those who were eligible.

“This can include trial and demonstration sites that are of benefit to the greater community, or shires trying to improve their waste water management schemes,” she said. “We even cater for individuals who are trying to start small-scale renewable energy projects in their community.”

For more information on the Communities Grants Scheme log on to wheatbeltnrm.org.au/scg.