Under the Greener Government School Buildings (GGSB) program, government schools across Victoria will be assisted in installing solar panels to reduce emissions and energy bills.
Minister for Education Natalie Hutchins stated that hundreds of schools are set to benefit from the recent round of the GGSB program with $4.6 million in funding available.
“Schools can use significant amounts of electricity each day to support students’ learning – and that’s why we’re investing in making our school even more environmentally sustainable,” Minister Hutchins said.
Minister Hutchins added that the grants benefit local schools and communities while lowering carbon emissions across the State.
The Victorian Government’s GGSB program now has 232 schools participating. A total estimated installed capacity of 9,300 kilowatts across all schools participating in the GGSB program is predicted to reduce up to 14,000 tonnes of emissions per year and save schools over $2.5 million per year on electricity bills.
According to the State Government, a solar power system is a long-term investment that will pay for itself over time, and the program eliminates the upfront costs of installing a system which would typically deter schools from considering this option.
“We’re helping schools to reduce their energy cost and lower emissions while teaching students a real-life lesson about the importance of climate action,” Minister for Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio said.
Bendigo Senior Secondary College was awarded a 99.4kW solar power system in round two of the GGSB, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by over 160 tonnes per year and saving more than $50,000 on electricity costs.
Under the GGSB Round 1, Lara Primary School obtained a 38.5kW solar power system, decreasing its emissions by over 51 tonnes annually while saving more than $7,400 on energy bills from electricity generated onsite.
Additionally, the State Government said the GSSB pilot program assisted Mill Park Primary School in reducing its emissions by more than 38 tonnes by installing a 24.4kW solar power system, which saved the school more than $8,000 in power expenses due to the electricity generated onsite.
The Andrews Government claimed that the program will assist Victoria in meeting its emissions targets of 95% and renewable energy by 2035 and net zero emissions by 2045.
