Solar Schools
Queensland state schools are doing the bright thing by installing solar panels and energy efficient lighting at all Queensland State Schools by mid-2011. The Queensland Government is investing $60 million into the Solar and Energy Efficiency in Schools Program.
The Queensland Government has also been working in partnership with the Federal Government's National Solar Schools Program to maximise the delivery of the solar panels in Queensland state schools.
Helping build a virtual power station for Queensland
School by school, we're working together with Queensland kids and teachers to create a virtual solar power station, we've already doubled our use of solar energy to 500 megawatts in less than two years - more than three years ahead of schedule.
You can contribute to this virtual solar power station too by doing the bright thing and installing a solar hot water system or solar power system on your home.
What is a solar school?
Every school that takes part in the program will have at minimum two kilowatts (KW) of solar power installed to help to generate electricity. Energy efficient light bulbs and other energy saving products are also being installed to save even more energy.
Helping the environment
These strategies aim to reduce the school's energy use by up to 30 per cent each year. For the average school, that means a saving of 20,168 kilowatt hours a year. That's enough energy to power approximately 3 homes for a year. It also means a reduction in greenhouse gases equal to taking approximately 3.9 cars off the road each year per school. When you add up the savings, you can see what a positive impact we can make by working together. The program is part of the Queensland Government's strategy to protect our Queensland lifestyle and environment.
Helping young Queenslanders
The Solar Schools program isn't just helping protect our Queensland lifestyle and environment, it's helping to educate young Queenslanders to do the bright thing. A software package is provided to each school that supports the solar power system. Students can log in and monitor and analyse the energy generated from that system. Understanding energy efficiency measures is also being incorporated into the school curriculum.
Meet a solar school
Kimberley Park State School was the first Queensland school to have its solar energy production fed live onto the internet. The work of several classes in water conservation in 2007 led the school to become one of ten trial schools for solar energy in Queensland. Kimberley Park has always had strong environmental credentials including its greenhouse, Australian native trees, resident koalas, water dragons and bush turkeys.
The school recycles paper products and harvests up to 35 000L of rainwater in ten tanks around the school. Their most recent project was to install five solar hot water systems to replace electric systems.
Principal Ross Harvey says, "Our students constantly remind us of our obligation to their future environment and we appoint two "Green Captains" each year to lead this. Our ultimate aim is to become energy neutral for 165 days per year."
Find out more
Think the solar schools program is a really bright idea?
- Find out more about the Solar and Energy Efficiency in Schools Program online or call the Solar and Energy Efficiency Project team on 3237 9913
- More information is also available at the Year of Environmental Sustainability website
- Find out about the incentives available and the benefits of installing solar panels or solar hot water in your home
- Find out how solar technology works
- Download the printable version of this information
Last updated 4 August 2011
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