Minister for environment and heritage senator Ian Campbell and minister for industry, tourism and resources Ian Macfarlane released the program’s guidelines, while saying Solar Cities would re-engineer the way Australian cities used energy.

“Solar Cities is essentially about partnerships. It will bring together governments, industry, communities, and businesses to radically change the way we think about energy,” said senator Campbell.

“Solar Cities will create more energy-efficient communities by combining different approaches such as energy-efficiency, smart meters, solar technology and responsive pricing to technology.”

Adelaide and three other trial Solar Cities sites will be established across Australia, with support from local businesses and householders a key goal for groups interested in applying for funding from the program.

“The Solar Cities approach will increase the choice of energy sources available to householders and businesses and will reward them for better managing their energy use,” said minister McFarlane.

“Energy retailers will also benefit from reduced load in peak periods – so there are benefits for the consumer, the retailer and the environment.”

An internet Register of Interest has been set up to facilitate the gathering of proposals, with the best proposals for funding short-listed and asked to produce business plans during the tender phase.