School Schemes
National Solar Schools Program
The objectives of the Federally funded Solar Schools Program are to allow schools to:
- Generate their own electricity from renewable sources.
- Improve their energy efficiency and reduce their energy consumption.
- Adapt to climate change by making use of rainwater collected from school roofs.
- Provide educational benefits for school students and their communities.
The scheme is also intended to support the renewable energy industry.
The Program funds can be used for the installation of a range of renewable energy generation, water and energy efficiency measures, including:
- solar power systems
- rainwater tanks
- small wind turbines
- small hydro power generators
- solar hot water systems
- energy efficient lighting
- ceiling fans
- door and window draught seals
- sensors, timer and thermostats
- automatic door closers and automatic sliding doors
- double glazing
- skylights
- shade awnings.
Schools are able to sell surplus electricity generated by solar power systems on weekends and during school holidays to the electricity grid for extra electricity and greenhouse savings.
Grants of up to $50,000, excluding GST, are available for the installation of eligible items by schools planning to install a minimum 2kW new solar power system, or a minimum 2kW extension to an existing system. Th maximum grant is reduced to $30,000, excluding GST, if the plan is to install a system of less than 2kW or no solar power system.
NSW Schools Energy Efficiency Program
The NSW Schools Energy Efficiency Program is part of the NSW Climate Change Fund. It provides $20 million to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from 225 NSW public high schools.
The program is being jointly delivered by the Office of Environment and Heritage and the Department of Education and Training.
Key elements of the program include:
- A complete lighting retrofit provided for each participating school.
- The provision of internet access to school electricity metres to allow tracking of performance and provide the information to students as a learning resource.
- The supply of simple monitoring equipment to allow students to monitor the energy use of basic equipment at their school and in their homes.
- A Student Savings Fund, of up to $18,000 per school, for students to select and pay for their own energy efficiency projects.
- The provision of curriculum support materials and access to a program officer to provide technical support.
- The participating school is required to develop a School Environmental Management Plan. Online support through the Sustainable Schools Program is available to assist with this process.
Further information about the Schools Energy Efficiency Program can be obtained by contacting