Aug 30 - United Press International

Australian Prime Minister John Howard says Adelaide will be the first state capital city to test a new solar energy program.

A report by the Australian Broadcasting Corp said newly formed consortium, Adelaide City Solar, will operate the program in the city's northern suburbs, where residents will be offered subsidies to use solar energy and power-saving devices.

Endorsing the plan, Howard said the initiative could help households in the South Australian capital slash power bills.

People will be invited to put photovoltaic cells, or solar cells, in their homes to operate hot water systems ... and participate in other ways to find out how cheap the use of solar power can be, he said.