While many have only heard about Alice Solar City and the Alice Springs Solar Cities bid recently, behind the scenes local organisations and businesses have been working towards the Solar City vision over many years. Below is a summary of the many events that have culminated in the launch of our Solar City.

Alice Solar City Historical Timeline

• Mid 2000 – Representatives of Arid Lands Environment Centre (ALEC), Central Australia Tourism Industry Association (CATIA) and Brendan Meney Architects met with the idea of Alice Springs as a “Solar City”
• Sept – Oct 2000 – ALEC convenes a “Solar City” group consisting of interested businesses and organisational representatives.
• May 2001 - Alice Springs News prints a front page article entitled “Sun City Alice” promoting the idea to the general public.
• May 2001 - The “Solar City” Group develops and submits a proposal for the Desert Knowledge Australia Technical Solutions group outlining the concept and opportunities.
• 2001 - Desert Knowledge Australia embraces the idea and initiates the “Towards a Solar Region” group to further the idea.
• 2001 – ALEC receives funding from the Australian Greenhouse Office for the “Cool Communities” project . After the ‘Cool Communities’ project had concluded, the project continued through funding from the Northern Territory Government as the Desert Knowledge Australia COOLmob
• 2002 – Centre for Appropriate Technology (CAT) commences the Australian Government's “Bushlight” project, delivering custom designed solar power systems to indigenous communities with operations based in Alice Springs.
• June 2004. The Australian Government announced a national Solar Cities Initiative, calling for expressions of interest from cities around the country.
• November 2004 – discussions begin amongst a range of interested parties within Alice Springs with a view to expressing interest in the Solar Cities program
• Dec 2004. ASTC Mayor and PWC representative attend briefings in Melbourne. Alice Springs registers interest in Solar City Program and initial project team meets.
• Jan 2005 - Work begins on the Alice Springs Solar Cities proposal, including a workshop of key stakeholders and the recruitment of a consultant to work full time on the bid.
• June 2005 – The Alice Solar Cty Consortium is officially formed. The Consortium consists of Alice Springs Town Council, Northern Territory Government, Power and Water Corporation, ALEC, Desert Knowledge CRC, Tangentyere Council and NT Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• July 2005 - Alice Solar City Consortium submits one of 23 Expressions of Interest.
• December 2005 – Alice Solar City is one of 11 projects to be short-listed and invited to submit a detailed business case
• April 2006 – Detailed business case submitted
• June 2006 – Representatives from ASTC, PWC, and the Consortium chairman deliver a multimedia presentation supporting the Alice Springs bid to the selection panel in Canberra
• April 2007 – Alice Springs announced as the 5th Solar City!
• March 2008 – Alice Solar City launches.
• May 2008 - First Solar photovoltaic (PV) system installed in an Alice Springs home under Alice Solar City
• June 2008 - Alice Solar City Commercial Program launched
• October 2008 - Minister Garrett announces funding for the Crowne Plaza Alice Springs 300kW flat panel solar system (the first 'iconic' project) and work commences.
• November 2008 - 500th Alice Springs resident signs up to Alice Solar City
• February 2008 - Commissioning of the Crowne Plaza Solar Project, making it the largest building mounted solar photovoltaic installation in the souther hemisphere.

To be continued………………….the next chapter is up to you!!!