The Solar City initiative has seen a range of renewable energy systems and energy saving appliances installed throughout the city, including 1,445 smart meters and 70 photovoltaic systems generating 160 kW of electricity.

Mr Garrett, who helped launch the Solar City in September last year, said he was excited to return to Townsville to see the city’s achievements.

“Electricity consumption on Magnetic Island – which was rising before the Solar City project began – is 3 per cent lower than it was a year ago or 9 per cent lower than where it would have been without the project," he said.

Meanwhile, the first sod was turned at a 100 kW Solar Farm, currently in the design and approvals stage, at the city’s Smart Lifestyle Centre.

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Mr Garrett said “The farm’s output will be equivalent to the power produced by about 20 homes, saving 177 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year.”

The city’s one-year anniversary coincides with Solar 09, the annual conference of Australian and New Zealand Solar Energy Society, which is being hosted in Townsville this week.

Townsville is one of seven cities in the Federal Government’s $94 million Solar Cities program. Solar Cities are also located in Adelaide, Alice Springs, Blacktown, Central Victoria, Moreland, and Perth.

Mr Garrett said "Everyone involved in Townsville Solar City should be congratulated on their hard work, enthusiasm and ongoing commitment to a cleaner, healthier, low-carbon climate.”