A new Government programme will see solar panels installed on up to 500 schools across Aotearoa, in a move aimed at cutting energy bills, reducing emissions and strengthening community resilience.
The Solar on Schools programme is a joint initiative between the Ministry of Education and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority. It will support up to 500 schools to install rooftop solar, up to 150 schools with energy management systems, and some schools with batteries.
The rollout is expected to begin this year, with a target of installing solar panels at 80 to 100 schools over the 2026 to 2027 summer school holiday period.
Schools facing energy insecurity, high power costs, gas or diesel boiler replacements, or a need for greater resilience will be prioritised for the first stage.
Early modelling by EECA suggests solar panels could pay for themselves within five to seven years. A standard 30-kilowatt school system could save up to $8,000 a year in electricity bills.
The programme is designed to give schools greater energy independence while supporting the shift toward cleaner, renewable power.
For many communities, schools are more than places of learning. During storms, floods and other emergencies, they can become gathering points and support hubs for whānau. Solar panels and battery systems could help keep essential services running when power networks are disrupted.
The Ministry of Education says solar panels can also help schools reduce carbon emissions and provide learning opportunities around sustainability, energy efficiency and climate action.
The initiative comes as schools across the country face rising operating costs and growing pressure to make property upgrades that support a low-emissions future.
Supporters say the programme has the potential to deliver long-term savings while helping tamariki and rangatahi see renewable energy in action on their own school grounds.
As the first schools are contacted over June and July, attention will turn to how the programme reaches communities most affected by energy hardship and climate-related disruption.
For Māori and rural communities, advocates say the key will be ensuring the benefits of solar investment are shared fairly, particularly in areas where schools play a central role in local resilience.
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