THE HON GREG COMBET AM MP
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
MEDIA RELEASE
More schools go solar with Federal Government grants
Schools around Australia would be able to become more energy efficient following the allocation of $51 million in Federal Government grants announced by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, and the Parliamentary Secretary, Mark Dreyfus.
1,226 schools would benefit after receiving grants of up to $50,000 each under the Australian Governments $420 million National Solar Schools Program.
Mr Combet today visited West Wallsend High School to announce the successful grant recipients of the 2010-11 funding round.
West Wallsend High School will receive $50,000 to install a 10 kilowatt solar power system and light switch sensors.
"This program shows that schools are getting smarter about their energy use and water conservation," Mr Combet said. "It gives students the opportunity to experience renewable energy generation first-hand."
Mr Dreyfus, at Ascot Vale West Primary School in Victoria, said more than 2,600 schools across the nation have already been allocated funding under the National Solar Schools Program and 93 per cent of these projects include solar power systems.
"This equates to approximately 11 megawatts of solar power - the equivalent of meeting the electricity needs of around 2,400 average households every day," Mr Dreyfus said.
The grants of up to $50,000 ($100,000 for multi-campus schools) have been awarded to primary and secondary schools to install solar and other renewable power systems, rainwater tanks and to help implement a range of energy efficiency measures.
WEDNESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2010
