Hundreds of schools to get solar panels in $30m pilot programme
The first 500 schools to get solar panels under the Government’s new $30 million energy scheme have been revealed.
Energy Minister Simeon Brown said these schools were selected because they were experiencing fuel insecurity, facing higher energy costs, needed better energy resilience or were scheduled for gas or diesel boiler replacements.
The list includes 80 schools in Auckland, 71 schools in Canterbury and 52 in Wellington.
Education Minister Erica Stanford said larger schools were expected to save around $8000 a year on average.
“It will also give students a real-world example of renewable energy in action, right there at their own school,” Stanford said.
“This is a smart, practical investment in both our schools and New Zealand’s future.”
Solar panels will be installed at the schools over the next three years. Up to 150 of these schools will also receive energy management systems, and selected schools will receive batteries where they are expected to deliver the greatest savings and community resilience benefits.
Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis and Education Minister Erica Stanford at Meridian Energy’s West Wind Farm, Makara, last week for an education announcement. Photo/ Mark Mitchell
The Government tender process was open to solar system planners, designers and installers to deliver the programme nationwide.
In June, the National party revealed an election policy to offer low-interest loans to allow more households to install solar power technology and decrease power prices.
The party, if elected, would launch the “home energy fund” by amending the Local Government Act and committing a one-off $7 million equity investment to secure a 20% shareholding in the new entity with the balance funded by participating councils.
Overall, the policy was largely welcomed but concern was expressed over whether renters will see the benefits.
The full list of the 500 schools in the pilot can be found here.
Julia Gabel is a Wellington-based political reporter. She joined the Herald in 2020 and has most recently focused on data journalism.
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