$5m for solar schools

30 schools in regional Western Australia will have solar panels installed in a $5 million program, the state government will announce today.

Horizon Power will install the rooftop panels in the next 18 months, in partnership with the Department of Education.

The funding is from the government’s ongoing $200 million school maintenance program.

Primary schools in Esperance, Karratha, and South Hedland were among those which will have solar panels installed.

High schools on the list included in Derby, Wyndham, Hedland and Leonora.

The government said the panels would be the equivalent of taking 400 cars off the road, in terms of emissions reduction.

It also continues a trend towards renewable and distributed energy in regional areas.

Read more: Horizon Power chief executive Stephanie Unwin

Both Horizon Power and Western Power have been leaders in adoption of standalone power systems for fringe of grid areas compared to Australian peers.

“Energy is a significant expense for our schools and this program will allow them to each save 27 per cent on electricity costs,” Energy Minister Bill Johnston said.

“Collectively, that’s $1.7 million worth of savings each year.”