CAIRNS SCHOOL FIRST TO GO SOLAR UNDER BLIGH’S $60M PROGRAM

CAIRNS: During a visit to Edge Hill State School today, Premier Anna Bligh announced that five more Queensland schools will pilot the Government’s $60 million Solar and Energy Efficiency Program.

Eimeo Road (Whitsundays), Pialba (Hervey Bay), Gumdale and Bribie Island State Schools and Mudgeeraba Special School will join 10 other Queensland schools* already signed up to the pilot.

They will trial solar and energy saving technologies before the program is rolled out to more than 1250 schools across the State over the next three years.

“A vital target in my government’s Toward Q2 plan is to cut Queensland’s carbon emissions by one-third over the next 12 years,” said the Premier.

“And our Queensland schools will lead the way by making use of the Sunshine state’s abundance of solar energy to cut their need for fossil fuel electricity.

“Edge Hill State School is the very first school to have their 2kwh solar panel installed under this program, with the remaining 14 pilot schools to have theirs by the end of the year.

“This has been done in partnership with the Federal Government’s National Solar Schools Program, which has installed a second panel at the same time.

“Our close co-operation with the Rudd government means we are working together to install the solar components of each program in unison and the combined 4 kilowatt solar system will reduce Edge Hill State school’s electricity bill by $1400 a year,” she said.

Education Minister Rod Welford said as part of the Solar and Energy Efficiency Program, many light fittings would also be replaced with more energy efficient lights to reduce energy consumption.

“Timers will also be installed on power circuits to turn off non-essential power at night and on weekends,” Mr Welford said.

“Light fittings will be replaced with energy-efficient lights to reduce consumption and a smart meter will be fitted to the school’s main switchboard to monitor energy use.

“This will measure the energy the solar system generates, the energy the school consumes, and the resulting reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

“That means that students will see first hand how investing in energy-efficient technology can make a difference to our environment.”

Mr Welford said educational benefits of the program were also being incorporated into the curriculum.

“Under this program more than 480,000 students will learn about solar power and energy efficiency and take this knowledge home to their families,” he said.

“We want our schools to be examples to the rest of the community of what we, as individuals, families, communities and a state, can do to tackle climate change.

“Under this program, the school community will also be encouraged to turn off all non-essential power such as computer monitors, printers and photocopiers at nights, weekends and on holidays.”

*10 schools already signed-up to the pilot program include: Coombabah and Holland Park State High Schools and primary schools - Albany Creek, Annandale, Charleville, Dutton Park, Frenchville in North Rockhampton, Kimberley Park, Mount Isa Central and Edge Hill State School.

Media contact: Ministers Office: 323 54593