Solar Schools

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Program Description

The Solar Schools Program supports solar (photovoltaic or PV) systems installed on Western Australian State Government schools.

The $5.1 million program will see over 350 metropolitan and regional schools harness the power of the sun by 2010.

The program will help students to learn about renewable energy and energy efficiency and the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Solar power systems will enable schools to generate some of their own electricity needs and reduce their consumption of fossil fuels.

Schools must contribute a minimum of $1,000 towards the cost of the system. The Sustainable Energy Development Office will contribute up to $12,500 in metropolitan areas and $13,000 in regional areas.

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

The program complements the Energy Smart Government Program.

Program Objectives

•	Enable students to learn about sustainable energy
•	Raise community awareness of sustainable energy
•	Lead to the long-term reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
•	Increase the uptake of renewable energy in rural and remote areas.

Key Eligibility Criteria

•	Rebates are available to State Government primary, middle and high schools
•	Rebates are available for new and complete solar power systems only
•	The minimum size for an eligible solar power system is 950W
•	Systems must be installed on a school building which receives a high level of sunshine and deters attempts of theft and vandalism
•	Schools must agree to carry out a range of educational activities associated with the solar power system
•	Solar power systems must meet relevant standards and regulations and must be designed and installed by suitable qualified personnel.

Full terms and conditions of the Solar Schools program are outlined in the Program Guidelines (PDF 79 KB).

Steps to Becoming a Solar School

Steps to becoming a Solar School (PDF 69 KB)

1.	Complete a pre-purchase application form and submit it to SEDO before the close of each funding round. Funding rounds usually close in March and August each year.
2.	Applications are assessed by SEDO against the eligibility criteria and objectives for the program. Rebates are approved for applications which best meet the objectives of the program and meet all eligibility requirements.
3.	If an application is approved, the school obtains three quotes from pre approved suppliers.
4.	The school and SEDO evaluate the quotes and the successful supplier is contracted to install the solar power system.
5.	When the installation is completed, the school forwards a rebate application form to SEDO.
6.	SEDO will then action payment of the rebate to the school.

Next funding round

The next funding round of the Solar Schools Program closes on Tuesday, 29 April 2008.

Outcomes of the Solar Schools Program

So far, 131 schools have been selected to participate in the Solar Schools Program.

Albany Primary School
Amaroo Primary School
Applecross Senior High School
Australind Senior High School
Baldivis Primary School
Ballidu Primary School
Banksia Park Primary School
Beacon Primary School
Belmont Primary School
Bicton Primary School
Bolgart Primary School
Bridgetown High School
Broome Senior High School
Busselton Primary School
Cadoux Primary School
Calista Primary School
Campbell Primary School
Carine Primary School
Carine Senior High School
Carnarvon Primary School
Caversham Primary School
Churchlands Senior High School
Claremont Primary School
Cloverdale Primary School
Comet Bay Primary School
Como Primary School
Como Secondary College
Coogee Primary School
Coolbinia Primary School
Corrigin District High School
Dalkeith Primary School
Dalyellup Primary School
Dawson Park Primary School
Denmark High School
Denmark Primary School
Donnybrook District High School
Dowerin District High School
Dryandra Primary School
Dunsborough Primary School
Dwellingup Primary School
East Fremantle Primary School
Eastern Hills Senior High School
Esperance Primary School
Exmouth District High School

Floreat Park Primary School
Fremantle Primary School
Gidgegannup Primary School
Glen Forrest Primary School
Glengarry Primary School
Goldfields Camp School
Gooseberry Hill Primary School
Grass Patch Primary School
Greenwood Senior High School
Hampton Senior High School
Harmony Primary School
Illawarra Primary School
Jerdacuttup Primary School
Jolimont Primary School
Kalamunda Senior High School
Kalgoorlie Primary School
Kambalda Primary School
Kardinya Primary School
Karratha Primary School
Karridale Primary School
Kelmscott Senior High School
Kent Street Senior High School
Kinross College
Koondoola Primary School
Kyilla Primary School
Lancelin Primary School
Landsdale Primary School
Leeming Senior High School
Mandurah Primary School
Manjimup Senior High School
Margaret River Primary School
Marmion Primary School
Melville Primary School
Millars Well Primary School
Mount Barker Community College
Mount Helena Primary School
Mount Lawley Senior High School
Mukinbudin District High School
Munglinup Primary School
Newdegate Primary School
North Cottesloe Primary School
North Dandalup Primary School
North Fremantle Primary School
Northampton District High School

Oberthur Primary School
Ocean Reef Primary School
Paraburdoo Primary School
Parkerville Primary School
Pemberton District High School
Perenjori Primary School
Pickering Brook Primary School
Pingelly Primary School
Queens Park Primary School
Richmond Primary School
Rockingham Beach Primary School
Rosalie Primary School
Rossmoyne Senior High School
Rostrata Primary School
Rottnest Island Primary School
Scarborough Primary School
Secret Harbour Primary School
Shark Bay Primary School
Singleton Primary School
South Coogee Primary School
South Halls Head Primary School
South Perth Primary School
Southern Cross District High School
Southern River College
Spearwood Alternative School
Spencer Park Primary School
Swan View Primary School
Takari Primary School
Three Springs Primary School
Toodyay District High School
Tuart Hill Primary School
Vasse Primary School
Wagin District High School
Warnbro Primary School
Warwick Senior High School
West Leederville Primary School
West Leeming Primary School
West Morley Primary School
White Gum Valley Primary School
Wickham Primary School
Willetton Senior High School
Yangebup Primary School
York District High School

Further information

Solar Schools program brochure (PDF 97 KB)
Program Guidelines (PDF 70 KB)
Application Form (PDF 66 KB)
Solar power for schools information brochure (PDF 95 KB)
Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme (Synergy)
Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme (Horizon Power)

For further details contact the Sustainable Energy Development Office on (618) 9420 5721 or email sedo@energy.wa.gov.au

Education and Information Resources

Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy Factsheets
A series of fact sheets on renewable energy developed by the Research Institute for Sustainable Energy with funding from the Sustainable Energy Development Office.

Australian Solar Schools
The national solar schools website that captures daily generation statistics from participating schools in Queensland and New South Wales.

Solar Model Car Challenge
Get your secondary school motivated to build WA's fastest, coolest, model solar car! Each year Western Power hosts the Solar Model Car Challenge. Winners of the event have gone on to prove the best in national and international competitions.

Solar Model Boat Challenge
The solar model boat challenge is a new competition offered by Western Power for Primary Schools. Become one of the first to participate in this exciting event.

World of Energy
World of Energy is an educational facility located at Fremantle that has a focus on promoting an awareness and understanding of a variety of energy and environmental issues. The centre offers a range of hands-on, curriculum-based educational programs for primary and secondary students.

RISE Schools
Information and activities on renewable energy developed by the Research Institute for Sustainable Energy. A great place to start for projects on renewable energy with worksheets available to download and some interesting activities to try at home.

Hydrogen and fuel cells
Cutting edge energy technologies such as hydrogen and fuel cells are explored through educational modules developed by the Gravity Discovery Centre based in Gingin. The site offers background information on energy, experimentation, creative exercises and opportunities for interesting excursions and incursions.

Energy Efficiency

Ollie Saves The Planet
Ollie Saves the Planet is a web site that explores the 4R's - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rethink as they apply to the 5 action issues of Energy, Waste, Water, Air and Biodiversity. It's full of games, puzzles and loads of information and projects.

Energy Saving Kit for Schools
By using Western Power's Energy Saving Kit your school can reduce its energy consumption and greenhouse gas production by up to 30 % each year. A considerable amount of the energy used can be saved, with big environmental and financial benefits for individual schools.

Energy Hog Online Game
An interactive online game where you must stop the energy hog from pigging out on wasted energy around the home.

History of Renewable Energy in Western Australia

A historical timeline of significant renewable energy projects undertaken in Western Australia is available by contacting the Sustainable Energy Development Office Energy Smart Line 1300 658 158.

To access Adobe Acrobat Reader for the PDFs provided on this site: www.adobe.com.au