A Student Led Green Revolution
CHALLENGE
A small group of environmentally-concerned students have initiated some big changes to their school community, tackling climate change and reducing their carbon footprint, with the recent introduction of a solar energy generation system.
Nowra Anglican College, an independent, co-educational school of more than 800 students ranging from Kindergarten to Year 12, is situated in a regional district where they take their environmental responsibilities seriously. The school recently saw the creation of a student-led forum - the Sustainable Future Committee, made up of 15 students and interested teaching staff, to inspire green awareness and produce environmental outcomes for the school. Despite this large task, already this student-initiated project can claim to be a big success.
Discovering the school was eligible for a $50,000 grant under the National Solar Schools Program, inspired the Committee to seek its own solar energy generation solution.
SOLUTION
The school engaged Solgen Energy and the company designed a system that merits the student's innovative thinking. Thirty solar panels were mounted on the roof of the front classroom building, intentionally creating a visual reminder of the school's positive environmental action.
Solgen Energy's installation took place over three days, during the school holidays, and caused no disruption to the school. The system also included a web-enabled monitoring device that records all energy saved and allows students and staff to see how their contributions are making a difference.
The success of the solar energy project has "re-energised" the students of the Sustainable Future Committee who are now seeking out further green energy solutions, such as a wind turbine generator to take advantage of the school's prevailing westerly winds.
BENEFITS
Solgen Energy's solar energy generation solution supports the aims of the school as a learning community and has encouraged the wider community to engage in environmental solutions. The solar energy system will provide the following and other ongoing benefits:
- the annual generation of approximately 8 Megawatt hours of electricity
- the annual prevention of about 7.5 tonnes of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere
- addressing climate change and raising awareness of renewable energy in the community
- educational outcomes for students though the system's educational student IT interface, recording real time energy generation statistics
TESTIMONIAL
"Solgen Energy was very easy to deal with. Given the fact that we are in a regional area, Solgen Energy were still keen to meet us on site and on our terms and were keen to put the best possible solution in place."
Andrew Guile, Business Manager, Nowra Anglican College
