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Media Release

April 17 2009

Solar testing centre open for business

Minister Garrett is shown a solar testing rig at UniSAAustralia’s capacity to develop advanced solar thermal technologies took another step forward today with the opening of a testing centre at the University of South Australia.

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett, officially launched a solar testing facility at UniSA’s Sustainable Energy Industry Support Centre at Mawson Lakes Campus.

“This cutting-edge testing centre is now available for industry use and to support the research and development of solar hot water, solar heating systems and other solar technologies,” Mr Garrett said.

“We now have an Australian facility that can encourage industry innovation and improve our solar technologies and delivering better quality products to Australians, sooner.

“This comes at an opportune time, with the Government’s $3.9 billion Energy Efficient Homes Package inspiring up to 300,000 households to install a solar hot water system and bolstering the solar hot water industry.”

Minister Garrett said the Sustainable Energy Industry Support Centre’s key focus is on solar hot water applications in Australia through independent testing, product development and monitoring services to support local manufacturers and suppliers of solar hot water systems.

At the testing facility solar thermal technologies are put to the test in a range of ways including measuring thermal performance of solar collectors, checking the impact of rainfall and large hail stones, evaluating safety and performance during extended periods of no hot water draw-off and protection against freezing temperatures.

“By contributing $410,000 towards the development of this testing centre, the Government is investing in research facilities, helping to stimulate jobs and drive demand in the solar industry, which in turn is delivering a major component of the Energy Efficient Homes package,” Minister Garrett said.

UniSA Pro Vice Chancellor Information Technology, Engineering and Environment, Professor Andrew Parfitt, said UniSA was very proud to be the host of the centre.

“At its heart the centre aims to build on advances in the technology and testing of solar thermal energy systems to improve uptake and ultimately reduce carbon footprint. This is a fabulous opportunity for Adelaide and South Australia to make a major contribution to solar thermal systems,” Professor Parfitt said.

“We look forward to a fruitful and perhaps transformational relationship with all our partners in this venture.”

 


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