Daily Advertiser
Monday 23/6/2008 Page: 46
SOLAR panels will be fitted onto the roofs of all Queensland state schools in a $60 million solar energy initiative. Premier Anna Bligh yesterday launched the program, labelled the first of its kind in Australia, as part of the government's commitment to fight climate change. Ten schools will be the first to take part when the plan takes form next month, with solar panels and energy-efficient bulbs to be installed.
Circuit timers to turn off nonessential power at night and "smart meters", which monitor energy use will be part of the package. Ms Bligh said all 1251 public schools in Queensland would be fully kitted out over the next three years. She said the initiative was about harnessing "the power of the sun" and teaching school students about their environmental obligations.
"As well as growing the solar industry, this initiative offers a great opportunity for our young people to learn about this transforming technology and what they, and their school communities, can do to help combat climate change," she said. Each solar panel would reduce a school's electricity bill by around $800 each year, Ms Blight said.
"(It) will reduce energy consumption across all state schools by a total of 13 per cent," she said. Ms Bligh said the $60 million outlay would be recovered in the longterm savings the solar panels, and other measures, generated. "In a state famous for its sunshine, it makes sense to invest in this renewable technology," she said. "I want Queensland to lead the pack to be the solar state of Australia." She said the state government would look at implementing similar initiatives in other sectors, including state hospitals, galleries and stadiums.
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