Concord school commits to carbon cuts

Victoria Avenue Public School in Concord West has become one of the first schools in Sydney to install solar technology under a new partnership between Ausgrid and Solar my School. The 30 kW system consists of 100 solar panels, expected to reduce emissions by 36 tonnes a year (900 tonnes over the lifetime of the system) and help the school save around $6000 a year on electricity bills.

The City of Canada Bay is participating in the program to encourage selected local schools to get involved and provide them with support and expert advice to help make the transition.

“We’re pleased to share our resources and knowledge to help local schools reduce their carbon footprint,” City of Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas said.

“Our target is for net-zero community emissions by 2050 and programs like this are making a real difference.

“This program not only cuts back on carbon emissions, but provides us with an opportunity to teach the next generation about the importance of renewable energy,” Mayor Tsirekas said.

Using an online tracking and monitoring program, students and teachers can track their greenhouse savings to further understand solar power and its benefits.

“Schools have large (often-unshaded) roof spaces, high daytime electricity demand, long tenure and a commitment to educating their students about positive environmental action,” Solar my School Program Manager Anthony Weinberg said.

“With solar, schools can power their learning facilities with locally produced clean energy, reduce their consumption and energy bills, and cut their carbon footprint.”

The NSW Department of Education provided half of the funding for the solar project and a $20,000 NSW Community Building Partnerships Grant, with the City of Canada Bay providing technical support from start to finish.

Solar my School was jointly founded by Waverley, Woollahra and Randwick Councils to help schools install solar power, and is now being rolled out across different council areas in Sydney and beyond.

Image caption: City of Canada Bay Deputy Mayor Julia Little with Victoria Avenue Public School Principal Danielle Coonan, parent Anthony Middleton, and students Molly and Eamon Middleton.