Australia could cut its carbon pollution by 240 million tonnes if it produced five per cent of its electricity needs from large-scale ‘Big Solar’ projects by 2020, said the Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES) in a recent statement.

“A five per cent target would establish at least 30 large-scale solar power plants, [and] generate 11,250 gigawatt hours of solar by 2020,” said John Grimes, Chief Executive Officer of AuSES.

“We call on all parties to support the policy settings to make 30 new Big Solar projects a reality by 2020,” said Mr Grimes.

“Investment in Big Solar can be supported through loan guarantees, tax incentives and seed funding for Big Solar projects. Power purchase agreements or feed-in-tariffs over the long term also help defray the up-front cost,” Mr Grimes continued.

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Mr Grimes added that the Labor Government's Solar Flagships was a big step in the right direction.

“The response to the program showed that industry is ready, the projects have been identified and that we have an abundant solar resource for large scale projects across Australia,” said Mr Grimes.