Energy Matters

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National Solar School Program grant information

Australian schools can harness the power of the sun in meeting one of the biggest challenges confronting our planet - global warming related climate change. 

The exciting new National Solar Schools Program (NSSP) will help primary and secondary schools around the country take practical action to save energy and cut their electricity bills; while providing educational benefits for students in learning about renewable energy and environmental stewardship.

$50,000 solar grant for Australian schools!

The Australian Government is providing generous grant of up to $50,000 (excluding GST) available for each school in Australia to install grid connected solar power. In the case of dual campuses, the grant may reach up to $100,000 (excluding GST). This is available until June 2015 to under the National Solar School Program (NSSP). There is also additional funding available in some states under state programs (see below).

Our solar school specialist in each state can help guide each school to apply and lodge their claim under the new National Solar Schools Program. 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)

As with any Government rebates there a few conditions attached; but the government has attempted to make it as easy as possible for all schools to access funding under the National Solar Schools Program:

1.  A school is eligible to redeem a National Solar Schools Program grant of up to $50,000 (excluding GST) if it: 
   - delivers education at a primary and/or secondary level, and 
   - is eligible to receive Australian Government general recurrent grants payments appropriated under the Schools Assistance (Learning Together Achievement Through Choice and Opportunity) Act 2004. 
2. A combined primary and secondary school will be deemed to be a multi-campus school even if these campuses are co-located. If the school also has a combined population of 1000 or more students, it is eligible for two National Solar School Program grants totalling $100,000 (excluding GST). 
3.  Schools must install a minimum of 2kW system to receive the full $50,00 or alternatively of the school installs a system less than 2kW it will only receive $30,000
4. Schools must enter a funding agreement with the government prior to installation
   
   

Schools and organisations not eligible to receive the government funding can still install a grid connected system at a competitive price through Energy Matters. Contact our team for more information on which systems would suit your school.

We recommend school administrators read the NSSP guidelines (PDF) available from the government prior to any action taken. It is the school's responsibility to register and lodge the claim, however we will give you as much support and advice regarding preparation of grant applications as possible. 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)

The Energy Matters solar schools program difference

From the time of the school's quotation acceptance we will start processing your account so it's ready to go, saving a great deal of time. Each school will have their own designated account manager whom will be in contact with the school at each stage of the process. The account manger will be helpful, friendly, experienced and most importantly - easily contactable.

We can also provide a site inspection to ensure you are getting a tailored system that will suit your school.

Additional bonuses!

Energy Matters will also provide a number of valuable bonuses for each school that acquires a grid connected system through our company! These are valuable additions not offered by our competitors!

Bonuses include additional equipment, educational resources for teachers and students, staff and parent discount on residential solar systems and much more! Learn more

Call our Solar Schools Hotline on 1300 665 950, register your interest online or email us for further advice. In a hurry? Download a brochure (PDF)

Solar grant application steps

The National Solar Schools Program has endeavoured to make access to National Solar Schools Program funding as simple as possible - and with Energy Matters as your solar grid connect system supplier, we'll be there every step of the way to assist you, making it even easier!

The steps are as follows:

1. Complete a Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts General Registration
2. Access the Department's Log In page and you'll be taken to the Department's Grants Menu.
3. Select the National Solar Schools Registration.
4. Complete the National Solar Schools registration form and submit.
5. The government will confirm eligibility, accept your registration and the amount of funding your school is eligible to claim.
6. Plan your project with the help of Energy Matters' experts who will help ensure you gain value for your grant money
7. Download and complete the National Solar Schools Claim Form from the Department's Grants Menu.
8. Once accepted, you will be notified a Funding Agreement is available, which you'll then download. 
9. Print and sign two copies of the agreement, then mail to  the National Solar Schools Team.
10. The NSSP team will sign and return an agreement to you and deposit the grant. At this point the Energy Matters team will commence the project.
11. On completion of your project, you will pay Energy Matters, submit a final report to the NSSP regarding the project, including an installation report which will be provided by Energy Matters..

• Download the National Solar Schools Program Guidelines - PDF 548KB
• Learn more about the National Solar Schools Program
• Download the Data Collection, Storage and Visualisation System (DCSVS) (PDF)
• Call our Solar Schools Hotline on 1300 665 950, register your interest online or email us for further advice. In a hurry? Download a brochure (PDF)

Additional state based solar power funding

In addition to the Federal Government solar school grants, schools some states can access additional funding for renewable energy; allowing you to have an even larger grid connect system installed and freeing up funds for more renewable energy initiatives!

Victoria 

The Victorian government has set aside $5 million in funding over four years to install solar panels on 500 schools; however round three applications for the additional Victorian Solar in Schools Initiative state funding of $15,000 have now closed. The rollout date for Round 4 is yet to be announced. Please contact us to be notified when the new funding is available.

Western Australia

In May 2007 the Western Australia Solar Schools Program was expanded from 100 to over 350 schools as part of the Premier's Climate Change Action Statement.

The Western Australian Sustainable Energy Development Office will contribute up to $12,500 in metropolitan areas and $13,000 in regional areas for the purposes of installing solar power systems. Rebates are available to State Government primary, middle and high schools for new and complete solar power systems only and must be a minimum of 950 watts.

Eligibility and application details are outlined in the West Australia Solar Schools Program Guidelines (PDF)

Queensland

The Solar and Energy Efficiency Program for Queensland State Schools  has allocated $60m for the purchase of solar power systems. The program, currently in rollout phase with a trial in 10 schools across various regions, will be extended to all schools and run over three years.

In combination with Federal funding, this basically means that the each school in Queensland will be able to install a minimum of a  2kW system from the Queensland government and a minimum of a 2kW system from the Federal government.

Therefore, schools in Queensland can install a 4kW system paid for by Queensland and Federal combined grants and be left with approximately $30,000 from the Federal grant for other energy efficiency and water saving related incentives!

Queensland schools can request further information about state funding here.

Beat the rush - get a quote and apply for your grant today and you'll have clean, green solar power providing electricity to your school very soon!