The Central Victoria Solar City Solar Park at Huntly is nearing completion and will be open to the public this afternoon.

The open day is a celebration and a welcome to the community - there will be tours and talks in relation to the project from 12.30pm to 3pm.

The project, which will provide green energy to the Central Victoria Solar City project, is part of the Australian Government’s $94 million SolarCities program.

The installation at Huntly will be the largest ground-mounted, flat-plate, grid-connected solar installation in Australia.

The trial program will run until 2013 and will provide enough power for 150 clients.

Project director Michael McCartney said it was a good opportunity for the public to explore solar energy.

“These open days will be the community’s best chance to see and experience large-scale solar technology close up, with free guided tours on offer.

“The solar parks are a blueprint for creating a new energy future and a great educational tool on the facts and benefits of renewable energy.”

Information and the chance for interested households to sign up will also be available for the first time on the seven local energy packages that will be on offer to 2500 central Victorian households.