Solar powered boost for Beechworth, Yackandandah schools

Beechworth Secondary School and Yackandandah Primary School will receive solar power systems as part of the state government’s Greener Government School Buildings program. The program is aimed at helping Victorian public schools cut electricity costs and reduce their carbon emissions. Beechworth Secondary School will be recipients of a 50kW system while the Yackandandah Primary School will receive an 11kW system. As part of the fifth round of the program, the installations will bring the total number of government schools fitted with solar systems to 445. Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said installing solar power would help schools reduce electricity bills by thousands of dollars each year and in some cases tens of thousands of dollars. “Schools use significant amounts of electricity each day to support students’ learning – and that’s why we’re investing in powering our schools with clean, cheap, renewable energy,” she said. “These savings can be redirected back into supporting student learning.” The program supports the state government’s targets of 95 per cent renewable energy by 2035 and net zero emissions by 2045. Once fully implemented across the 445 participating schools, the program is expected to collectively save schools over $5.2 million in electricity costs each year. It is expected to achieve a total installed capacity of 19,359 kilowatts – enough to generate renewable electricity to power approximately 2,000 houses – and estimated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 27,800 tonnes. The Greener Government School Buildings program removes the upfront costs of installing a solar power system that may otherwise discourage schools from doing so. The 32 schools, across metropolitan and regional Victoria, are expected to save a combined $480,000 in electricity costs each year and cut carbon emissions by around 2,200 tonnes annually through their new solar systems. For more information go to schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/greener-government-school-buildings-program.

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