More than 10,000 solar panels have been installed at state schools across the Sunshine Coast to help slash electricity costs and cut carbon emissions.
The panels were installed at several schools in the region, as part of the Queensland Government’s Advancing Clean Energy Schools program.
Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt said the program was good news for schools and great news for the government’s renewable energy target.
“ACES is making a significant contribution to the 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2030, with the 200,000 solar panels on state school rooftops (statewide) expected to generate an average of 280MW of electricity every day,” he said.
“The 10,100 panels on the Sunshine Coast alone can generate around 14,000 kW of electricity every day.
He said there was a commitment to deliver “state-of-the-art facilities to our world-class schools and ensure a bright future for our children by taking action on climate change.”
Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton said the completion of the ACES program followed the government’s delivery of air conditioning for every classroom, staff room and library in Queensland state schools.
“In April, our government announced the completion of the $477 million Cooler Cleaner Schools Program in time for staff and students to enjoy air conditioning in every Queensland state school for the start of Term 2,” he said.
“That was two months ahead of schedule.
“Now the ACES program is complete, the solar panels we have delivered for more than 900 Queensland schools are helping to offset the added electricity costs of air conditioning.”
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Beerwah State High School had 270 solar panels installed, which will offset the costs of air conditioning and other energy costs in a $180,000 investment.
Principal Lyn McDonald was delighted with the school’s new solar panels, which can generate an average of 390 kW of electricity per day.
“Beerwah State High School has recently had solar panels installed on the roof of C Block and the Resource Centre,” she said.
“The school is looking forward to being able to access performance tracking data as well as record our solar credits plus save money on electricity costs.”
Education Minister Grace Grace said the $168 million ACES program was expanded in February and had exceeded targets to deliver more panels at more schools.
“I am particularly proud that we exceeded our original target of 180,000 panels at 872 schools and have instead delivered 200,000 panels at 912 schools,” she said.
“This equates to a $26 million saving on energy bills every single year and is enough renewable energy to power 25,000 homes – that’s more than all the households in the Gladstone region.
“The ACES program also supported about 1,000 jobs and kept Queenslanders working through the height of the pandemic.”
Minister Grace also said the government was committed to providing quality facilities to schools right across Queensland.
“In the 2022–23 budget alone, we are delivering an overall infrastructure investment portfolio valued at nearly $2 billion, driving the Queensland economy by supporting nearly 4200 jobs,” she said.
