New South Wales aims to be “Australia’s answer to California”, accelerating the use of renewable energy and finding new ways to curb waste, in a push that puts it at odds with Coalition counterparts in other states and at the federal level.

The Baird government says it plans to adorn as many of its buildings with solar panels as possible and ease the way for more wind farms.

Time to get cracking on renewables and energy efficiency, the NSW government says. Credit:Steven Siewert

The announcement comes days after the Abbott government secured its almost five-year quest to axe the carbon price and amid ongoing signs it will weaken the national renewable energy target (RET),

“We are making NSW number one in energy and environmental policy,” Environment Minister Rob Stokes told the Clean Energy Week gathering in Sydney.