By Dominique Tassell
Stanthorpe State High School (SHS) has had solar panels installed as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s Advancing Clean Energy Schools (ACES) program.
Solar panel are being installed across the state, with more than 9600 panels already installed at state schools across the downs regions.
Education Minister Grace Grace said tradies were working hard across the state to ensure schools could benefit from the reduced energy costs this summer.
“The work is part of the Palaszczuk Government’s Advancing Clean Energy Schools (ACES) program which is reducing energy costs at more than 800 state schools through the installation of solar systems and other energy efficiency measures,” Ms Grace said.
“The $168.1 million ACES program will deliver approximately 61.4 megawatts of solar to the Queensland Government’s 50% renewable energy goal by 2030 to reduce emissions, address climate change, create new jobs and diversify the economy.”
“Work on schools in the Toowoomba and South-West Queensland areas continue to support the construction industry in the COVID-19 economy, as well as creating sustainable schools, with 9629 solar panels already installed in the region.
“At a time when job creation has never been more important, the Queensland Government continues to support industry while improving our schools,” Ms Grace said.
“Stanthorpe State High School has recently had solar panels installed which will offset the costs of air conditioning and other energy costs over summer.
Stanthorpe SHS Principal, Daniel Ward, said the school was very happy with its new solar panels.
“It’s going to be a great benefit for us,“ Mr Ward said.
“We have only recently had the solar panels installed, but it will have a positive impact on the environment into the future and is going to be a big cost saver for the school.”
Minister Grace said that the ACES program ticks all the boxes.
“In total, across the life of this initiative, more than 550 local jobs will be supported across Queensland,” she said.
“Installing these panels will off-set the energy consumption from our air-conditioning program to make every state school classroom, staff room and library cooler by June 2022.
“Once the ACES program is fully rolled out, it’s expected to deliver a reduction in state school energy costs of up to 20 per cent.
“The solar panels will have enough renewable energy to power 25,000 homes.”
