More Queensland schools are going solar with the state government announcing it will spend almost $100 million over three years to put solar energy systems on the roof of more than 800 schools.
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But the state opposition has pushed for the money to instead be spent on air-conditioning schools and warned the LNP would watch to see if the money was only spent in Labor electorates.
Speaking at Bremer State High School on Tuesday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said schools would save $10.2 million a year in electricity costs once the scheme was fully operational.
The tender for the first 210 solar energy rooftop systems, 30 schools in each of the seven Education Queensland districts, will be released in a few weeks.
“The Advancing Clean Energy Schools or ACES program will save our schools an estimated $10.2 million a year,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“That’s a great saving for schools as well as a fantastic contribution to our 50% renewable energy target by 2030.”
The Queensland government in 2016 committed to having 50 per cent of its energy production come from renewable from 2030.
Queensland schools are some of the state’s big electricity users.
In 2016, then-Energy Minister Mark Bailey said Queensland government schools, TAFE campuses and hospitals were the government’s first targets to introduce solar panels and save electricity costs.
“Our state schools are among the government’s largest energy users, with an annual energy bill of more than $50 million,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“This program will be a game changer and the reduced environmental impact will be significant.”
About 1200 Queensland schools have installed solar panels since 2006, but the newer panels and solar systems have the advantage of modern technology, Education Minister Grace Grace’s spokesman said.
Ms Palaszczuk said the schools to be chosen from across the state.
“So the benefits will be shared throughout the state,” she said.
From the $97 million scheme over three years, $40 million will be spent on solar photovoltaic systems and $57 million making schools more energy efficient with LED lighting and similar schemes.
The size of the solar power system used on each school depends on the audit of the 30 chosen schools in each of Queensland’s seven education districts.
“That will look at things like the size of the school roof, how much electricity they use now and whether they have systems already,” Ms Grace's spokesman said.
“We’ll be looking at getting them to the schools where they will receive the most benefit.”
Ms Grace said Bremer State High School, as one of the first sites to have a solar system installed, spent $250,000 on electricity each year, "with $100,000 of that in network charges”.
“So that gives an indication of the impact this initiative will have over time,” she said.
Bremer State High School current 4.1 kilowatt solar system supplied about 0.7 per cent of its electricity consumption.
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said while the opposition supported the solar school rollout, it preferred the money went into school air-conditioning systems.
“We all know that when kids are sweltering, they struggle to learn effectively,” she said.
“This is about priorities and the LNP believes Labor should be air-conditioning more Queensland schools.
“We also need to ensure that the solar panel rollout is done on a needs basis and isn't blatant pork barrelling of Labor electorates.”
Bremer State High School is in Labor MP Jennifer Howard’s electorate. It is normal for governments to launch a program in the electorate of one of its sitting MPs.
