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THURSDAY 29 JANUARY, 2009 |

Students Switching Schools Onto Solar Energy

by Energy Matters

Solar energy for schools

Australian students concerned about energy related carbon dioxide emissions might want to pay a visit to the web site of Students For Solar Schools for a bit of inspiration.

Based in the USA, Students For Solar Schools (SSS) is, as the name suggests, a student-run campaign to engage schools in the uptake of renewable energy. SSS aims to see solar panels installed on school campuses for environmental, economic, and educational benefits.

The group sees solar panels not so much as the end goal of their efforts, but as a symbol for environmental conservation, the beginning of a greater focus on efficiency improvements at schools and to generate publicity regarding the importance of school sustainability.

Students For Solar Schools offers tools such as a petition template and some basic information for "making the pitch" to school administrators about the importance and benefits of solar power. SSS currently has 4 schools listed where students are petitioning their fellow classmates, administration, and district leadership for the installation of solar energy systems.

In Australia, students have an extra advantage of an even more powerful tool for convincing schools to add solar power into their energy mix - the Australian Federal Government's generous grant of up to $50,000 under the National Solar Schools Program. To date, 3200 schools around Australia have registered for the NSSP.

Under the National Solar Schools Program, most Australian schools delivering education at a primary and/or secondary level have the opportunity to not only reduce their mains grid electricity usage; saving power, money and greenhouse gas emissions in the process, but to also provide a rich hands-on learning experience for students regarding renewable energy.