10,000 more solar panels now installed on Qld schools

Week one of the school holidays has kicked off with a bang as the Palaszczuk Government’s Advancing Clean Energy Schools program reaches a new milestone.

Ten thousand new solar panels have been installed on Queensland state school buildings and classrooms, with more on the way.

Fourteen Queensland state schools will be fitted with solar panels between now and the end of the year, meaning an extra 2,000 panels will be installed before January.

Education Minister Grace Grace said installation work would ramp up over the Christmas holiday period.

“We’re making great progress in making our state schools more energy efficient,” she said.

“So far, 76 schools have received solar panels, with many more on the way.

“Importantly, the rollout of the ACES program is expected to support 320 jobs and 58,000 hours of apprentice work.

“It is wonderful to see schools in Gladstone, Townsville, Rockhampton and Toowoomba next on the list to receive panels this month.

“This is welcome news for these schools on day one of the Christmas holidays.”

Ms Grace said the ACES program will help reduce the energy costs at schools, which are some of the biggest energy users in the state.

“This program is such a boost for our education system here in Queensland,” she said.

“Not only are we going to save millions of dollars, we’re also helping reduce our impact on the environment and support local jobs in the process.

“To date, almost 3,000 kW of solar power is being generated from the installed panels across Queensland.”

Ms Grace said the implementation of this important initiative would see almost 34,000 panels installed by the end of June 2020.

“We are well on track to deliver these panels to more than 800 state schools across Queensland.

“The energy cost savings realised by this program when fully implemented is expected to be approximately $10 million per year.

“This outstanding initiative is showing Queensland state school students and their communities the Palaszczuk Government’s strong commitment to a cleaner, greener energy future.”

/Public Release. View in full here.