Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

More Mackay Schools Powered By The Sun

More than 7,500 solar panels have been installed at Mackay state schools to help slash electricity costs and cut carbon emissions.

Education Minister Grace Grace said the Advancing Clean Energy Schools (ACES) program was expanded in February 2022 and had exceeded targets to deliver more panels at more schools than originally planned.

“I am particularly proud that we exceeded our original target of 180,000 panels at 872 schools and have instead delivered 200,000 panels at 912 schools,” Minister Grace said.

“This equates to a $26 million saving on energy bills every single year and is enough renewable energy to power 25,000 homes.

Fitzgerald State School had 454 solar panels installed which will offset the costs of air conditioning and other energy costs in a $298,000 investment.

Principal Tracey Adams said the school is delighted with their new solar panels, which can generate an average of 590 kW of electricity every day.

"The ACES program has delivered great savings to our school," Mrs Adams said.

"Through this Queensland Government investment, Fitzgerald State School is showing our students and community that clean and affordable energy benefits everyone.”

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said the program was good news for schools and great news for the state’s renewable energy target.

“ACES is making a significant contribution to the State Government’s 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2030, with the 200,000 solar panels on state school rooftops expected to generate an average of 280MW of electricity every day,” Ms Gilbert said.

“The 7,500 panels in Mackay alone can generate around 9,800kW of electricity every day.”

Ms Gilbert said the completion of the ACES program follows the State Government’s delivery of air conditioning for every classroom, staff room and library in Queensland state schools.

“In April, our government announced the completion of the $477 million Cooler Cleaner Schools Program in time for staff and students to enjoy air conditioning in every Queensland state school for the start of Term 2,” Ms Gilbert said.

“Now the ACES program is complete, the solar panels we have delivered for more than 900 Queensland schools are helping to offset the added electricity costs of air conditioning.”

Minister Grace said the State Government was committed to providing quality facilities to schools right across Queensland.

“In the 2022–23 budget alone, we are delivering an overall infrastructure investment portfolio valued at nearly $2 billion, driving the Queensland economy by supporting nearly 4200 jobs,” Ms Grace said.

More than 400 solar panels were installed at Fitzgerald State School

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