The first solar panels have been installed at Canberra’s Mugga Lane Solar Park according to the ACT’s Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, Simon Corbell.

“The ACT Government is bringing renewable energy to the people of Canberra at the lowest possible price while stimulating economic development,” Mr Corbell said.

Mr. Corbell stated once completed, the 13 MW Mugga Lane Solar Park will feature approximately 48,000 solar panels (the project site says 53,000) that will collectively generate enough electricity to provide for the power requirements of approximately 3,000 households.

Carbon offset of the facility is an estimated 480,000 tonnes over a 25 year period.

The facility is situated in Tuggeranong, located at the intersection of Mugga Lane and Monaro Highway, and will be the largest agriculturally integrated solar farm in Australia.

30 people will be employed during the construction phase. Once operational, three permanent operational and engineering staff will attend to the park.

“The Mugga Lane Solar Park is one of the first of many large scale renewable energy projects that the Government is supporting as part of its 100% renewable energy target by 2020,” said Minister Corbell.

“This target ensures affordable, reliable and low-carbon electricity supply for consumers and recent reports echo the benefits of our renewable energy projects.”

As well as large-scale solar, the ACT government has heavily promoted and supported home and commercial solar installations in Canberra.

According to recent data from the Clean Energy Regulator, 16,883 small-scale (<100kW) solar power systems were installed in the ACT by early July.

Last week, the ACT’s Environment and Planning Directorate was recognised for its innovative energy policy and projects at an annual awards ceremony for the ACT Public Service.

In other related ACT news, Minister Corbell announced yesterday the Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme (EEIS), will be expanded to include commercial lighting and refrigerated display cabinets.

“Energy efficient lighting upgrades can save up to 60% of lighting energy bills. Lighting makes up about half the total electricity bill for general retail outlets, a quarter of the total bill for hairdressers and 14% for restaurants,” said Minister Corbell.