Published Sunday, 22 June, 2008 at 12:00 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
QLD STATE SCHOOLS TO BE NATION-LEADING SOLAR SCHOOLS
GOLD COAST: For the first time in an Australian State, all state schools in Queensland will be powered, in part, by solar energy, Premier Anna Bligh announced today..
The Queensland Government will install solar panels and other energy efficiency measures in all Queensland state schools over the next three years under a new $60 million solar and energy efficiency program.
The Premier and Minister for Education and Training Rod Welford said the program would be introduced progressively, starting with 10 schools of varying sizes and in different regions of Queensland from next month [July 2008].
“Over the next three years, we’ll install solar panels on the roofs of all our 1,251 State schools.
“We will also replace light fittings with more energy efficient bulbs, install smart meters to monitor energy usage and timers on power circuits to turn off non-essential power at night and weekends,” she said.
Each solar panel will reduce a school’s electricity bill by around $800 each year.
“The solar panels will be paid for over time through the savings they, and the other measures, will generate,” she said.
Implementation plans will be developed around the first 10 schools and then the program will be implemented in schools across the State over the next three years.
“$37 million will be spent on energy efficiency measures in State Schools including improved lighting technology to reduce electricity consumption.
Mr Welford said the project would also deliver significant educational benefits to Queensland students through the installation of ‘smart meters’ and inclusion in the curriculum.
“Our students will be able to see first-hand the benefits of solar power in the reduction of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
“The new ‘smart meters’ will measure energy generated by the solar systems, the amount of energy being consumed by each school, and the resulting reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
“More than 500,000 Queensland school students will learn about solar power and energy efficiency and will be able to take what they have learned back to their homes and communities,” he said.
He said this program would complement the State’s existing Solar Schools Program, which had resulted in the installation of solar power systems in 94 Queensland schools
Media contact: Minister’s Office 3237 1000
The Queensland Government will install solar panels and other energy efficiency measures in all Queensland state schools over the next three years under a new $60 million solar and energy efficiency program.
The Premier and Minister for Education and Training Rod Welford said the program would be introduced progressively, starting with 10 schools of varying sizes and in different regions of Queensland from next month [July 2008].
“Over the next three years, we’ll install solar panels on the roofs of all our 1,251 State schools.
“We will also replace light fittings with more energy efficient bulbs, install smart meters to monitor energy usage and timers on power circuits to turn off non-essential power at night and weekends,” she said.
Each solar panel will reduce a school’s electricity bill by around $800 each year.
“The solar panels will be paid for over time through the savings they, and the other measures, will generate,” she said.
Implementation plans will be developed around the first 10 schools and then the program will be implemented in schools across the State over the next three years.
“$37 million will be spent on energy efficiency measures in State Schools including improved lighting technology to reduce electricity consumption.
Mr Welford said the project would also deliver significant educational benefits to Queensland students through the installation of ‘smart meters’ and inclusion in the curriculum.
“Our students will be able to see first-hand the benefits of solar power in the reduction of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
“The new ‘smart meters’ will measure energy generated by the solar systems, the amount of energy being consumed by each school, and the resulting reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
“More than 500,000 Queensland school students will learn about solar power and energy efficiency and will be able to take what they have learned back to their homes and communities,” he said.
He said this program would complement the State’s existing Solar Schools Program, which had resulted in the installation of solar power systems in 94 Queensland schools
Media contact: Minister’s Office 3237 1000