Grants help schools go solar

Hepburn Shire Advocate
Wednesday 30/5/2007 Page: 11

BALLARAT East MLA Geoff Howard has urged schools and community organisations to take advantage of grants of up to $15,000 from the Bracks Government to become solar powered. Mr Howard said the grants would be provided to fit solar roof panels on 500 government and private schools and high-profile community buildings.

Applications can be made for funding from Victoria's new $5 million Solar in Schools program through Sustainability Victoria with grants to be awarded from early July.

Mr Howard said educational materials and a monitoring system would also be provided to help teachers incorporate sustainability and energy use into the curriculum. "Through the monitoring system students will, for example, be able at any time to see via the web how much power the photovoltaic panels are generating.

"So this initiative is not just about putting solar panels on rooftops - it's also educating children about renewable energy sources and tackling climate change. "This may also lead to more families considering buying green power, which is generated from nongreenhouse emitting energy sources such as solar and wind energy," he said.

For more information contact Richard Jennings at Sustainability Victoria. on 8626 8751.