Council's Solar my School Program Comes to an End
Published on 31 July 2024
A great example of a successful local government initiative and what can be achieved through collaboration between councils is the Solar My School program, which is heading off into the sunset after seven successful years.
Established by Woollahra, Waverley and Randwick Councils to help schools in the east install solar power on their rooftops, the pioneering program provided specialist technical advice and support for utilising the financial and environmental benefits of clean, locally produced renewable energy.
The motivation for Solar my School came from a demand from the schools themselves who wanted solar but often didn’t know where to start, coupled with a need for the Three Councils to meet ambitious community emission reduction targets.
The program helped schools from start to finish, from initial solar feasibility and funding advice, through to tender assistance and installation, as well as educational support to teach the next generation about solar and renewables.
The success of the program led to its being expanded to 13 other LGAs around NSW and was the recipient of many awards for leadership and design, including NSW Green Globes, Cities Power Partnerships and LG Professionals Association National Award.
Schools that have gone Solar
Within the Woollahra Council Local Area, nine schools installed solar through this Council-run program, collectively representing a remarkable 356 KiloWatts of solar capacity. This is equivalent to powering 97 Australian Homes or 2,839 computers and will contribute to reducing 505 tonnes of carbon emissions per year, equivalent to taking 177 cars off the road. The money saved on electricity bills will total up to $77,000 per year, freeing up vital funds for schools to allocate elsewhere.
The schools who participated in the Solar My School project and their solar capacity is listed below:
High Schools
Kincoppal: 99kW
Kambala: 68kW
Primary Schools
Bellevue Hill Public: 15kW
Vaucluse Public: 20kW
Rose Bay Public: 30kW
Double Bay Public: 30kW
Woollahra Public: 40kW
Glenmore Road Public: 23kW
Holy Cross Primary: 31kW
Solar My Suburb
The sister program to Solar my School - Solar my Suburb - continues in the Eastern Suburbs. Non for profits, sporting organisations, churches, synagogues, and other community entities are encouraged to express their interest today, ensuring that the momentum towards a sustainable renewable energy future remains strong.