More solar on the horizon for WA’s regional schools

June 10 2022

Horizon Power will continue to partner with the Department of Education to deliver rooftop solar systems to a further 28 schools across Western Australia’s northwest regions as part of the second stage of the Solar Schools initiative.

An additional $4.6 million will be invested in the program as a part of the State Government’s $45 million Schools Clean Energy Technology Fund, which will see solar panels and virtual power plants installed at public schools across the state.

Stage two of the Solar Schools program will deliver rooftop solar systems to 18 schools in the Kimberley and 10 schools in the Pilbara, starting with Broome North Primary School, where installation works began on 28 March.

Horizon Power’s Acting General Manager Customer Experience, Evette Smeathers, said the company was pleased to be continuing its partnership with the Department of Education to deliver cleaner, greener energy solutions to Western Australia’s regional schools.

“Collectively, these 28 systems will reduce the Department of Education’s greenhouse gas emissions by over 1,000 tonnes per year. That’s the equivalent of taking more than 300 petrol cars off the road permanently,” Ms Smeathers said.

“The program aims to reduce the schools’ electricity bills by around 24 per cent each year, allowing them to divert those funds into much needed causes.

“Horizon Power is really proud to be supporting the State Government's commitment to transition to net zero emissions by delivering these renewable energy solutions to schools in our regions.”

The schools will also benefit from Horizon Power’s Bright Horizons STEM education resource, which was developed in collaboration with the Science Teachers’ Association of Western Australia and encourages students to have hands-on fun while learning about solar and other energy topics.

Bright Horizons provides educators with detailed lesson plans and engaging resources, including a solar-powered car kit, that will help students achieve important STEM learning outcomes.

The learning content was developed in recognition of the diverse levels of student literacy and resources available across the participating schools in regional and remote Western Australia.

“The rooftop solar systems and Bright Horizon’s learning materials will expose students to renewable energy in action, hopefully sparking their interest in the innovative technologies that are being developed to safeguard our future,” Ms Smeathers said.

In line with its guiding principle to support thriving and sustainable regions, Horizon Power will preference local people, goods and services and promote local work opportunities during the delivery phase of the program.

Broome-based solar specialists, Generators and Off-grid Energy, join round one Solar Schools contractor, Mechanical Project Services, as Horizon Power’s supply and installation partners for the program.

All systems are expected to be operational by the middle of 2023.

The second stage of the Solar Schools program follows on from the ongoing rollout of rooftop solar systems on 30 schools across the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne Mid West and Goldfields Esperance regions, as part of Stage 1 of the program which started in 2020 and is due for completion mid year.

The schools participating in the second stage of the Solar Schools program are:

Kimberley

Bayulu Remote Community School

Broome North Primary School

Broome Primary School

Broome Residential College

Broome Senior High School

Cable Beach Primary School

Dawul Remote Community School

Djugerari Remote Community School

Fitzroy Valley District High School

Jungdranung Remote Community School

Kalumburu Remote Community School

Kimberley School of The Air

La Grange Remote Community School

Muludja Remote Community School

Ngalapita Remote Community School

Roebuck Primary School

Wananami Remote Community School

Wangkatjungka Remote Community School

 

Pilbara

Dampier Primary School

Jigalong Remote Community School

Marble Bar Primary School

Newman Primary School

Newman Senior High School

Nullagine Primary School

Paraburdoo Primary School

South Newman Primary School

Tom Price Senior High School

Wickham Primary School