Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett has rejected claims that the approval of uranium exploration in central Australia is a double standard.

Mr Garrett is in Alice Springs today launching a Government funded Solar Cities initiative.

The launch has renewed concerns about the recent approval for uranium exploration at the Angela Pamela site about 25 kilometres from Alice Springs.

Anti-uranium groups have labelled today's launch as ironic, and a contradiction.

Mr Garrett says Alice Springs' Solar Cities status is an important milestone, and uranium exploration is a separate issue.

"I'm not going to get caught up in a debate about double standards," he said.

"What I would say is that this is the clearest possible signal that the Australian Government wants to recognise that communities are hungry to deliver and embrace solutions."