Kalgoorlie hopes to set solar example

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The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder hopes more local governments aroundAustralia will follow its lead by introducing solar energy togenerate their electricity needs.
Earlier this week, the Western Australian Government announced itwould contribute $4.5 million towards establishing a solar powerstation in the city.
The project will be the first of its kind to feed the energydirectly back into the main electricity grid.
Mayor Ron Yureyvich says the project is part of the council'scommitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
"We'll be generating sufficient power to every municipal buildingand complex that we have in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. So it is asignificant move in regards to any local government in Australia,but we're about that, we're about making a difference and this isbut one of the things that we're looking at," he said.
The federal Member for Kalgoorlie says the solar system planned forKalgoorlie-Boulder has been criticised by engineers in the past forcreating as much greenhouse gas during production as it savesduring its life.
Barry Haase says the photovoltaic system is not the only option.
"I'm simply concerned with the popularity in people's minds ofphotovoltaic process. It seems to be that most people see it as theonly form of solar energy conversion to electricity," he said.