The solar schools network currently includes SEDA’s Solar in Schools programme in New South Wales, and Queensland’s Environ mental Protection Agency’s Solar Schools programme. South Australia has also recently initiated a solar schools programme that is shortly expected to link into the national network.
Each participating school receives a PV system of around 1,5 to 2,0 kW which helps offset part of its electricity purchases and raises awareness of PV and energy issues amongst students, teachers, parents and the local community.
In NSW, the programme is supported by the Department for Education and Training and Energy retailer Integral Energy, with additional financial support from the Australian Greenhouse Office. Each NSW school also receives a ‘Solar Explorer’ kit containing a small PV module, meters, lights, buzzers, and experiment booklet which gives students a ‘hands-on’ opportunity to see PV power at work.
Several of the schools are already connected to the programme website, which provides information about the initiatives, the participating schools and their PV systems. It also provides data feeds from the schools’ systems to allow performance monitoring. This gives website visitors an opportunity to see how PV works under different conditions. It also has the potential to alert the schools and regional programme administrators in the event of a system problem.
| • | Solar Schools completed to date: NSW 43, QLD 32 |
| • | Additional schools in pipeline: NSW 35, SA 50 |
| • | Annual energy savings: 2100-2900 kWh per school |
| • | Avoided CO2 emissions: 55-60 lifetime tonnes per school |
| • | Information: www.solarschools.net |
