The Japanese government recently announced it will install solar power systems of all its 32,000 public elementary and middle schools by 2020.
According to a report on Business Green, as much as AUD $1.2 billion in funding will be allocated to achieve the ambitious goal and municipalities will only have to contribute 2.5 percent of the cost for the systems.
Schools will be supplied with 20kW grid connected rooftop solar systems and according to the Japanese Education Ministry, this will provide enough power to light up to 10 classrooms on a daily basis.
There are currently 1,200 solar schools in Japan and the government aims to increase that number to 12,000 by 2012, then to the 32,000 target by 2020. Once the project is completed, the amount of electricity generated each year by the rooftop solar power systems will be equivalent to the power needed to for 200,000 Japanese homes.
Closer to home, Australia’s National Solar Schools Program (NSSP) is still in operation and according to government figures, 4814 schools around Australia have now registered for the NSSP. The program provides schools with grants of up to $50,000 (ex. GST) to install solar power and other renewable energy systems. Dual campuses can receive as much as $100,000 (ex. GST). The systems usually don’t require any major changes to a school’s existing electrical infrastructure.
The benefit to schools from installing solar power systems isn’t confined to reducing electricity bills. The systems can also act as a revenue raiser during weekends and holidays through feed in tariff arrangements.
The installations provide education opportunities, becoming a tool to help students learn about renewable energy, energy efficiency and the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Solar powered schools also help spark interest in students to perhaps pursue a renewable energy career and provide an important example to the community where the school is located in regards to environmental stewardship.
