SCEG's Barwon Solar Schools project secured over $100,000 in grant funding from the Victorian Government to install 114 kW of solar PV on five primary schools in the Barwon region to reduce carbon emissions and electricity bills and fund further sustainability education activities.
By mid-December 2021, the project had installed a 28 kW solar system at Aireys Inlet Primary School, a 22 kW solar system at each of Highton, Manifold Heights and Ocean Grove Primary Schools, and a 20 kW solar system at Birregurra Primary School.
20 kW solar system installed at Birregurra Primary School
It is estimated these solar PV systems will collectively reduce carbon emissions by 155 tonnes and reduce electricity bills by over $20,000 each year. Over their 25-year life span, it is estimated these systems will collectively reduce carbon emissions by 3,875 tonnes and reduce electricity bills by over $500,000.
Electricity cost savings will be used to fund further sustainability actions, especially those identified in Sustainability Victoria's ResourceSmart Schools program and modules on biodiversity, energy, waste and water to increase sustainability and sustainability education across school facilities, curricula and communities.
In addition to grant funding from Round Five of the New Energy Jobs Fund, Surf Coast Energy Group contributed $2,000 of community donations raised via The People’s Solar crowd funding platform towards the cost of installing the solar PV system at Airey’s Inlet Primary School. Similarly, Birregurra Community Group facilitated a contribution of $2,500 from Birregurra & District Lions Club towards the cost of installing the solar system at Birregurra Primary School. In addition, most participating schools contributed between $2,000 - $6,000 to the cost of their respective systems.
Announced by the Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, Round Five of the New Energy Jobs Fund supported the delivery of community-led renewable energy projects as part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to achieving 40% renewables by 2025, 50% by 2030, and net zero emissions by 2050.
Surf Coast Energy Group was pleased to work with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Department of Education and Training, Victorian School Building Authority, and each of the participating primary schools to deliver the Barwon Solar Schools project.