After the current round of the Greener Government School Buildings Program, 415 schools across Victoria will be powered by solar energy. Image: Victorian School Building Authority.
The Allan Government in Victoria is supporting government schools across the state to install solar power systems.
In an effort to reduce electricity bills and help the environment, an additional 20 government schools will receive solar power systems worth $1.5 million.
Under the Greener Government School Buildings Program, the education sector can lower costs, increase sustainability and reduce emissions.
After the current round of the program, solar power systems will be operating at 415 schools, providing a total capacity of more than 17,400 kW and saving more than $4.9 million a year on power bills for participating sites.
Bendigo South East Secondary College is one school taking advantage of the policy, cutting more than 148 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and saving more than $25,000 a year with a powerful 99 kW solar system.
Other schools, such as Leongatha Secondary College, have saved more than $9800 on power bills while reducing emissions by more than 43 tonnes. Epsom Primary is saving $9700 a year and has cut 51 tonnes of emissions annually.
“Schools need to use significant amounts of electricity to power students’ learning,” Education Minister Ben Carroll said. ”That’s why we’re investing in them becoming more energy efficient, sustainable and climate resilient, while reducing running costs.
“As well as saving money on their power bills now, participating schools will be helping the students of tomorrow by contributing to reaching our goal of net-zero emissions by 2045.”
Since 1 July, schools in the state have been powered by the State Energy Commission, lighting up classes with 100 per cent renewables.
The government hopes the policy will help it achieve its ambitious renewable energy targets of 95 per cent by 2035 and net-zero emissions by 2045.
Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio said: “We’re helping more schools reduce their energy bills with solar and lighting up classrooms across the state with clean, renewable energy powered by the SEC.”
