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School solar power faq's

Solar power in its various forms can seem complex if you're new to the topic of green energy. Below are some answers to questions we see commonly asked about solar power and its application in a school environment. There's a ton of useful and interesting tidbits of information for your students!

Don't forget to take advantage of solar power grants of up to $50,000 available for your school! Call our Solar Schools Hotline on 1300 665 950, register your interest online or email us for further details. In a hurry? Download a brochure (PDF)

Topics:

General questions about solar power
Solar power and environmental issues
School solar power system components
Electrical issues
National Solar School Program eligibility
National Solar School Program funding
NSSP miscellaneous

General questions about solar power

What are some of the historical milestones in relation to solar power?

1839 Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel, a French physicist, discovers the principle of solar power generation.
1905 Albert Einstein documents a scientific explanation of solar energy principles.
1954 Bell Laboratories develops the world's silicon solar cell with an efficiency of 5 %; i.e. the cell was able to convert 5% of the sun's energy into power. Today's solar cells achieve efficiencies of up to 20%.
1955 Solar cells were implemented in space exploration to power equipment
1973 The oil crisis sees a surging interest in solar energy
1997 Australia becomes a leader in photovoltaic research
2007 Germany leads the world in solar energy with 1000 times more installed capacity than Australia thanks to a gross feed in tariff.

How is a solar panel made?

Solar panels must be made in dust free and temperature controlled conditions. The process is very labour intensive. While the finished product is incredibly rugged and will have a serviceable life for decades, the production of a solar panel is complex, requiring delicate handling and a great deal of dexterity. Here's a brief video on how a solar panel is made:

What is the difference between solar panels (power) and solar hot water?

Solar panels take light from the sun to generate electricity. Solar hot water systems utilize heat from the sun in order to heat water.

How does a solar power system work?

Energy from sunlight is converted into direct current (DC.) electricity via an array of solar panels. An inverter converts the direct current to alternating current (AC), the same as mains supply electricity. Learn more about how grid connect solar works in schools.

What type of solar power systems are commonly used in schools?

Stand-alone and grid connect are the most commonly installed systems in schools. Grid connect systems are mostly found in built up areas and supply solar electricity directly to the school through an inverter or mains electricity grid if the system is providing more energy than the school needs. Stand alone systems usually operate in schools in remote areas where there is no mains supply or supply is unreliable. The energy created by a stand alone system is stored in battery banks.

What factors determine the amount of electricity produced?

Aside from the size and type of solar panel, solar radiation levels depend upon the time of year, the time of day, and the latitude of where the system is installed. Dust, moisture levels and cloud cover can also decrease the amount of solar radiation available.

What about cost?

There are grants of up to $50,000 available for schools under the Australian Federal Government's National Solar School Program - minimum of 2kW systems. This means that schools can have a system installed with no capital outlay for equipment or installation. In the case of dual campuses, grants of up to $100,000 can be obtained. For single and dual campuses, further state funding may also be obtainable. Read more about the solar schools grants system.

What size system will I need for my school?

A 2 kW system is currently the "entry point" for grid connect and attracts the most rebate through the NSSP. It will depend on your school's individual energy consumption as to what a 2kW system will offset, but just as an indicator, a 4 kW system will cover 100% of the energy consumption of a medium energy use household. An Energy Matters solar schools expert will assist you in sizing a system.

Is my school building suitable for a solar power system?

If any of your school buildings have an unshaded north-facing roof with adequate space, you will be able to have a grid connect system installed.

How long will my grid connect solar power system last?

Solar modules have an incredibly long lifespan showing little reduction in electrical output after 20 years - and any loss is mostly due to the glass covering becoming cloudy. Solar panels installed in Australia over 30 years ago are still in operation today. All our solar panels carry carry an output warranty of 25 years.

Deep cycle batteries can expect a serviceable life of between 12-15 years, depending on usage and care; but maintenance is minimal. As mentioned, in most cases, schools will not require batteries connection to the mains grid will still be in place.

Electronic components such as inverters should last over a decade. Learn more about the components Energy Matters uses in grid connect systems.

Can a school solar power system be upgraded?

Certainly! Extra solar panels can be added to the system at any time so you can boost your electricity production capacity. In a grid connect system, the only component you may need to replace if you do so is the inverter; but if you install a large inverter when the system is initially installed, that can avoid additional costs at a later date

What happens on cloudy days?

The beauty of a grid connect system in schools is that as you are still also connected to the mains power supply, any shortfall in electricity production will come from your mains supply. There is no switching or manual monitoring needed, the process is automatic and seamless.

How reliable will my school solar power system be?

As the Energy Matters systems are designed to Australian Standards, the quality and reliability of components and power supply will meet the loads specified.

Solar power and environmental issues

How much energy does it take to produce a solar power system?

While solar electricity is clean and green, solar power equipment requires a certain amount of energy in the production of the components used - this is called embodied energy. An assessment from an International Energy Agency report in 2006 found that roof-top solar power systems recover their energy content (from manufacturing and recycling) in well under two years in Australia.

After that, the energy produced by a solar energy system can save emissions of 40 tonnes of CO2 and systems installed in Australia over a 30 year lifespan will likely produce around 17 times the amount of energy needed for manufacture, installation and dismantling.

What sort of reduction in carbon dioxide emissions will our school achieve?

As a comparison, the average vehicle in Australia travels 20 000 km annually, which is equivalent to 3.3 tons of carbon dioxide discharge per year. A 2kw grid connected system installed on your school will prevent 3.3 tons of carbon dioxide being generated through traditional black coal power generation - so basically it's the equivalent of taking a car off the road each year.

School solar power system components

What does a typical school solar power system consist of?

When it comes to solar power, it doesn't get much simpler than a grid connect system; which aside from cabling, labels, enclosures and framing; basically just consists of an array of solar panels for electricity production, an inverter which converts the DC electricity into AC, which is then connected to the power grid through the electricity meter.

Are there different types of solar panels?

Yes, there are various types of solar panels with different power ratings measured in Watts. Energy Matters supplies highly efficient mono-crystalline panels with our school grid connect system packages

Is much maintenance involved?

With a grid connect system, there is next to no maintenance required and electronic components such as the inverter are totally maintenance free. Energy Matters systems come with complete instructions for maintenance.

Electrical issues

If a solar panel outputs DC voltage, how is it converted to 240V AC?

The voltage conversion is achieved by an inverter; which is simply a solid state electronics device that converts DC electricity into 240V AC.

Is a solar regulator required in a school grid connect system?

No, the inverter takes the incoming DC charge and converts it to AC electricity suitable for use in your school

Is electricity stored anywhere for use after dark?

During the night when your system does not produce electricity, your school draws power from the mains supply grid as it normally would. The process is automatic, no timers need to be set.

What happens to our school's electricity supply if there's a blackout?

In these situation, the inverter automatically shuts down within a few milliseconds for safety reasons and you will be without power for the duration of the blackout. A way around this is to have back up batteries installed , which will add to the cost of the system.

Can a battery backup be fitted into an existing grid connect system?

Yes, battery backup systems also need additional components such as a solar regulator that ensures the batteries aren't over-charged.

How does a solar power system connect into our school's current electricity supply?

It is wired into your school's existing electrical infrastructure using a 15 amp circuit breaker. There are no major changes that need to be made to your school's existing electrical infrastructure

Where is the inverter placed?

Usually the inverter is placed close to the school's main power board. The inverter is silent in operation.

National Solar School Program eligibility

Is our school eligible for the solar power grant?

Your school should be eligible for the National Solar Schools Program grant of up to $50 000 if:

it is engaged in primary and/or secondary level education, and
is eligible for grants under the Schools Assistance Act 2004.

Further details and steps for applying for the Solar Schools grant can be found here.

What other Australian Government funding is available?

If your school is not eligible under the National Solar Schools Program, it may be entitle to other renewable energy rebates and grants, for example, the Solar Homes and Communities Plan or the Renewable Remote Power Generation Program ; which also provide cash rebates for solar power installation.

National Solar School Program funding

How large a grant can my school get?

This depends on whether the school:

has already received funding under the Green Vouchers for Schools guidelines, which may reduce the amount of the grant
is installing a minimum 2 kilowatt (kW) solar power system.

As long as your school is installing a minimum 2kW solar power system; a grant of up to $50 000 (GST exclusive) may be made and up to $100,000 for dual campuses such as a combined primary and secondary school. If the system is under 2kW, then it may be eligible for a grant of up to $30 000 (GST exclusive)

Does a multi campus school attract additional funding?

If your school has multiple campuses with a combined population of over a thousand full-time enrolled students the school will be eligible for one additional National Solar Schools Program grant; up to $100 000

Will combined primary and secondary school get two grants?

As long as the school has a combined population of 1000 or more students; it will be eligible for two National Solar School Program grants.

What if my school has received funding or a rebate for a solar power system previously?

This will not affect your eligibility or level of possible funding unless you have received funding under the Green Vouchers for Schools guidelines.

Further details and steps for applying for the Solar Schools grant can be found here.

NSSP miscellaneous

Can a school purchase a second-hand solar power system with an NSSP grant?

No, all installed equipment must be new.

What are the time limits National Solar Schools Program grant?

The program runs until June 2015 and claims may be made at any time

How long does a school have to install the solar power system?

The installation must commence within three months and completed within six months of the start of your funding agreement.

What approvals or permits does my project require?

This varies with each area - an Energy Matters solar school expert can assist you in gaining the necessary permit.

What are Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)?

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) are form of currency issued when you have a solar power system installed. REC owners are able to claim the RECs themselves or assign their right to claim the RECs to an agent or their installer in exchange for a discount on the installed system.

Does the installer of the system need a special license?

The person who carries out the installation of a solar power system must be accredited for design and installation of photovoltaic systems by the Australian Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE). All Energy Matters' installers are BCSE accredited.

Further details and steps for applying for the Solar Schools grant can be found here.

Get grid connected solar for your school!

Call our Solar Schools Hotline on 1300 665 950, register your interest online or email us for further advice on taking advantage of the National Solar Schools Program $50,000 grant! In a hurry? Download a brochure (PDF)