The Solar Flagships program is part of the Australian Government’s $5 billion expanded Clean Energy Initiative. The Government has committed $1.5 billion to the Solar Flagships program to support the construction of up to four large scale, grid-connected, solar power plants in Australia using solar thermal and photovoltaic (PV) technologies. The Government’s aim is to establish up to 1000 megawatts of solar power generation capacity.
Project selection is to occur over two selection rounds. The first selection round (Round 1) is underway and is to select up to two projects in the first half of 2011, with a target of 400 MW of combined generation capacity across both projects. The second selection round (Round 2) is planned to be held in 2013-14, following a review of the outcome of Round 1.
On 11 December 2009, the Minister for Resources and Energy, the Hon Martin Ferguson AM MP, launched the Solar Flagships program and opened the program for proposals.
For the full announcement, please see the Minister’s media release titled “Solar Flagships Program Now Open For Business”.
On 18 February 2011 the Prime Minister announced support from cross-bench members of the House of Representatives for the Government’s flood levy package.
As a result, the Government has agreed to return the previously announced saving of $60 million to the Solar Flagships program over the period to 30 June 2015. For further information please see the Prime Minister’s press release.
The Government has also agreed to re-phase $40 million into the period to 30 June 2015 that was previously allocated to the period beyond 30 June 2015.
The net budget impact of this change is $100 million. The Government will offset this in the upcoming Federal Budget in May.
This means total funding to the Solar Flagships program now stands at $1.5 billion.
The timing of actual expenditure for the program will be determined by project requirements following the outcome of the merit based competitive selection process.
Round 1 Project Selection:
On 24 February 2010, Minister Ferguson announced that the Department had received 52 proposals for the first selection stage, which closed on 15 February 2010. To view the announcement, please see the Minister’s media release titled “Strong Demand for Solar Flagships Program"
There is a two stage selection process for Round 1. Applicants who are shortlisted in the first stage (Stage 1) have been invited to submit full applications for the second stage (Stage 2) of assessment. The Government announced the applicants whose projects had been shortlisted on 11 May 2010. To view the announcement of the shortlist, please visit the Minister’s media release.
Round 1 Selection Process Documents:
Please note that proposals for Round 1 closed on 15 February 2010 and applicants with shortlisted projects have been invited to submit a Full Application for assessment in Stage 2. Links to supporting documentation for Round 1 of the program are listed below and these documents will form the basis for preparing the Full Application:
- Solar Flagships Program Round 1 Information Guide for Applicants (the Information Guide) [PDF, 282KB]
- Revised Solar Flagships Program Administrative Guidelines – uploaded 13 August 2010 [PDF 477KB]
- Solar Flagships Program Stage 2 Supplementary Guidance for Applicants [PDF, 83KB]
- Eligible Expenditure Guidelines [PDF, 47KB]
For further details on Education Investment Fund (EIF) Evaluation Criteria please visit www.deewr.gov.au/eif.
Solar Flagships Council:
The Solar Flagships Council is an independent body established to assess project proposals and full applications and to recommend for funding under the Solar Flagships program. The members of the Solar Flagships Council are:
- Dr Michael Vertigan AC (Chair)
- Mr Antony Cohen
- Ms Betsy Donaghey
- Ms Kathy Hirschfeld
- Ms Gaye McMath
- Dr John Tamblyn
- Mr Mark Twidell.
Enquiries:
Any queries applicants may have regarding the Round 1 selection process, including questions in relation to the research infrastructure component and the Education Investment Fund (EIF), should be directed to the Solar Flagships team by email to solar.flagships@ret.gov.au or to the Solar Flagships Program Manager on (02) 6213 7780.