The Northern Territory Government’s $5 million Rooftop Solar in Schools program is underway with tenders awarded for installation of the solar systems at five schools.
Announced late in 2019, the program will be delivered to 25 schools over three years and is anticipated to save selected schools up to 40 per cent of their energy costs.
The Rooftop Solar in Schools Program is part of the Government’s Roadmap to Renewables Plan, which aims to transition the Northern Territory to 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030.
Installation is underway at Casuarina Secondary College, the first of the 25 selected schools, and is soon to commence at Katherine High School, Nightcliff Primary School, Palmerston College and Sanderson Middle School.
Combined, the first five projects are expected to support 40 local construction jobs.
Tenders for a further five schools will be awarded in the coming months.
The program will be delivered to schools in every Territory region, including remote schools, with sites selected on the basis of their energy usage or their innovative science programs.
Eight schools have been identified in Round 1 (2018/19), six in Round 2 (2019/20) and five in Round 3 (2020/21).
In each of those rounds, two positions are open for Expressions of Interest, which will enable any Territory school to apply for the installation of solar panels.
Northern Territory Minister for Education, Selena Uibo, said the program will enable selected schools to save on their energy costs and redirect those savings into resources that will enhance children’s education.
“Additionally, the solar systems themselves will enhance children’s learning. They will include monitoring and measurement equipment, which will facilitate innovative school-based educational projects and inspire our next generation of engineers and scientists to advance renewable energy solutions,” Ms Uibo said.
