SIGN OUR OPEN LETTER TO STATE AND FEDERAL LEADERS

We’re calling on state and federal governments to fund solar panels and batteries for every school and early childhood centre in Australia that doesn’t yet have solar - or needs more!

It's a no brainer: creating clean local jobs Australia-wide, slashing school electricity costs, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to protect our climate! We're asking state and federal governments to make this a reality!

Solar and batteries significantly cut power bills for schools and early childhood centres by using and storing free energy from the sun. Research by Beyond Zero Emission shows that installing solar panels and batteries on Australian schools and early childhood centres would:  

• Save $114,000 in annual energy bills per large school 
• Save $12,700 in small schools*

To achieve these savings, schools need grant funding for their solar and battery system, and  to become part of a "virtual power plant" where they can sell their excess solar power to the community.

SOLAR PROVIDES AN IDEAL INVESTMENT FOR THE CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY

As Australia needs to moves toward clean energy in all sectors of the economy, solar and batteries for schools supports the clean industries of the future and leaves polluting industries, like coal and gas, behind. Solar Our Schools would create many thousands of regional jobs - at least 6,870 jobs*! Solar installers are local businesses in the regions where the schools and early childhood centres are, so local economies would benefit.

SOLAR ON SCHOOLS IS PART OF AUSTRALIA’S CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE 

Solar energy is used directly by the school or early childhood centre for their electricity needs, instead of them buying coal-generated power from the electricity grid. This reduces greenhouse gas emissions because it means less coal-generated power is needed. Installing solar panels and batteries on an all Australian schools and early childhood centres would save 1.4 million tonnes of greenhouse emissions per year*. 

YOU CAN HELP WIN SOLAR ON OUR SCHOOLS AND EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTRES!

By asking state and federal governments for solar and batteries for all Australian schools and childcare centres,  you can play a part in creating a cleaner, better, safer Australia. 

1. SIGN OUR OPEN LETTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER

Add your name to the call for clean-energy investment into solar and batteries for all schools in Australia! We want thousands of parents, teachers, students and community members to sign the letter, so please share it too! Here is a poster you can download!

2. VOLUNTEER AS A SCHOOL OR CHILD CARE CHAMPION AND GET YOUR COMMUNITY ON BOARD!

We have resources and organisers to help you connect with your school or child care community to get them on board. We'll help you get the ball rolling! 

3. WRITE A LETTER TO YOUR LOCAL POLITICIAN ASKING TO SEEK SUPPORT FOR OUR CAMPAIGN

We need to let politicians across all of Australia know that Aussies want the government to Solar Our Schools! Please email or write to your local MP to ask them to get behind funding solar and batteries for all schools, not just those that can afford it.

It’s estimated that at least 42% of the 9503 schools (public and private) in Australia don’t currently have solar*. Many more child care centres and preschools also have no solar. Many schools and centres that do have solar panels often don't have a large enough system to meet all their needs.

The Solar Our Schools open letter is endorsed by:

^Source: Beyond Zero Emissions ‘Million Jobs Plan’ 2020 - This plan, developed in conjunction with Tesla, provides for large schools to utilise 250kW of solar plus a medium battery and small schools to use 25kW of solar panels plus a small battery.