Victorian Coalition Government funds cutting edge solar project
The Victorian Coalition Government announced today it will provide $1 million in funding for the cutting edge Victorian development of an ultra efficient solar power system.
Minister for Energy and Resources Michael O'Brien said the RayGen solar power project was developing technology for high performance large scale solar systems that concentrate solar power from a field of heliostats onto an array of super-efficient solar cells on a central tower.
"The Victorian Coalition Government is committed to supporting local research and development in a new generation of renewable and low emissions technologies," Mr O'Brien said.
"Supporting the early development of technologies such as this RayGen project will help develop new renewable energy technologies which can provide low emissions power for Victorian homes and businesses in the future."
The Coalition Government funding is the first stage of development and involves fine-tuning design components and optimising cost, performance and reliability in the overall design .
"The project is testing and improving technology which could then be tested on a larger scale," Mr O'Brien said.
RayGen's site for the planned demonstration plant is in the Gannawarra Shire near Kerang. One of the project partners is Ballarat-based Ceramet Technologies
"In addition to energy technologies, this project will also provide highly-skilled jobs in regional Victoria," Mr O'Brien said.
The Coalition Government provided an additional $41 million in funding for the Energy Technology Innovation Strategy (ETIS) as part of the 2011-12 Victorian Budget.
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