North Rockhampton State High School has had 806 solar panels installed. Photo: Supplied
More than 7500 solar panels have been installed at local state schools to cut electricity costs and carbon emissions.
North Rockhampton State High School had 806 solar panels installed in a $540,000 investment and Yeppoon State School had 242 panels worth $130,000.
On average, North Rockhampton State High School’s panels can generate around 1000kW of electricity per day.
Principal Kurt Goodwin said that the school expects significant savings due to the project.
“With the installation of the solar panels through the ACES program our school has reduced its energy costs by over 60 per cent annually,” Mr Goodwin said.
“The school welcomes the savings that come with this program which can be put towards programs and support for students.”
Yeppoon State School’s panels can generate around 310 kW of electricity per day on average.
Education Minister Grace Grace said the Advancing Clean Energy Schools (ACES) program was expanded in February 2022 and had exceeded targets to deliver more panels at more schools than originally planned.
Assistant Minister for Education and Member for Keppel, Brittany Lauga, said the program was good news for schools and great news for the Palaszczuk Government’s renewable energy target.
“ACES is making a significant contribution to the Palaszczuk Government’s 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2030, with the 200,000 solar panels on state school rooftops expected to generate an average of 280MW of electricity per day,” Ms Lauga said.
“The 7500 panels across the Rockhampton Region and Livingstone Shire alone can generate around 10,000kW of electricity every day.”
Source: https://cqtoday.com.au/news/2022/08/01/students-getting-schooled-in-solar-power/