The Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Mark Dreyfus, has announced the latest schools to receive grants as part of the Gillard Government’s National Solar Schools Program.

Under the 2011-12 round about 784 schools across Australia have each been awarded grants of up to $50000 to help save and generate energy, as well as use water more wisely by installing solar and other renewable power systems, rainwater tanks and a range of energy efficiency measures.
 
“The National Solar Schools Program gives school children the opportunity to see energy generation and learn the importance of water and energy conservation first hand, to date 3800 schools across Australia have been awarded grants under the program," Mr Dreyfus said.

 

“The combination of renewable energy systems installed under this program will generate approximately 20MW of solar power – the equivalent of powering around 4200 average households each day,” he said.

 

Applications were assessed on value for money criteria, as well as environmental and educational benefits.

 

The applications from schools located in remote or low socio-economic areas received additional weighting to allow funding to be directed to schools most in need.

 

The government’s Clean Energy Future plan provides levels of financial support for innovation in renewable energy and other low-pollution technologies.

 

Applications for 2012-13, the final round of the National Solar Schools Program, will open on 13 February, 2012.

 

Further information about the Program, including a list of successful grant recipients, is available on the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.