A joint initiative by Randwick, Waverley and Woollahra Councils, Solar my School, is helping schools make the switch to solar by providing free independent expert advice and support from start to finish. Schools are guided through cost estimates, fundraising, installation, media and communication support, as well as curriculum-linked material so students can learn about solar.
The three councils have jointly funded and run Solar my School as part of the 3-Council Regional Environment Program, which has been charged with designing and delivering regional-scale initiatives to drive down carbon emissions and tackle waste, recycling and water usage. Award-winning Compost Revolution is another one of the program’s initiatives that has been running since 2009.
A bright, emissions-free future is in the hands of our youngest generation which is why Solar my School is not only powering the schools with sunshine, they are also educating kids on the benefits of renewable energy in the process.
So far, 90% of the 64 schools in the region have signed up to the program, benefiting more than 20,000 students.
Nicola Saltman who manages the communications and engagement for the program says the collaboration for Solar my School has really been about external partnerships and relationships. How state government, schools, funding bodies and communities work together is really what makes these projects happen.
“Schools are proving to be ideal sites since they consume a lot of electricity during the day with IT equipment, sporting facilities and air-conditioning systems, and often have large unshaded roofs to capture the sunshine. They also value the environmental and educational benefits that solar power offers, as well as the year-in-year bill savings in the face of rising electricity prices.”
Woollahra, Randwick and Waverley Councils are members of the Cities Power Partnership and we are so proud to see these councils collaborating to address and power up solutions to climate change.
Solar my School is a finalist in the prestigious national Banksia Sustainability Awards, NSW Green Globe Awards and Cities Power Partnership Awards. Awards will be announced in October and November.
