Government announces new Solar on schools programme

Energy Minister Simeon Brown and Education Minister Erica Stanford have announced a significant funding package to boost solar uptake and help schools reduce and manage their energy costs now and into the future.

The new $30 million Solar on schools programme will be delivered in partnership by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and the Ministry of Education. $20 million will come from the Community Renewable Energy Fund (CREF) and $10 million from the Ministry of Education.

Solar on schools will provide up to 500 schools across the country with a combination of solar panels and batteries, and up to 150 of these schools with energy management systems. The programme marks a step forward for energy affordability and resilience in the school sector. Early modelling by EECA shows that a 30kW solar system (the standard size for schools) could enable schools to save up to $8,000 per year on electricity bills, and that solar panels are estimated to pay for themselves within 5 to 7 years.

Solar on schools will also contribute to broader electricity network resilience. Up to 10.1GWh of energy will be generated annually – the equivalent of powering 1,500 homes per year. Some of that energy will go back to the grid, generating an estimated $6.7 million in revenue over 10 years.

Solar on schools will be delivered through a phased rollout starting this year and finishing in 2028. The programme will expand from summer 2026/27 to include more schools across the country, with a target to install 80 to 100 over the summer school holiday period.

Read Minister Brown and Minister Stanford’s press release:

Solar on schools to boost future resilience(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz