School helping to power its community
WAITATI school is leading the charge in sustainable energy and providing solar energy to its community.
The school is one of 140 around the country that has solar panels installed, but is the one of the first to be linked to a local renewable energy network, through which surplus energy produced will be shared with the community.
The new initiative was celebrated during a ceremony at the school yesterday afternoon.
The panels were installed on the school’s roof last month.
They are linked to the Blueskin Energy Network and Waitati locals will be able to subscribe to the network via an app and buy the excess solar energy.
Green MP Gareth Hughes, who unveiled a plaque commemorating the new energy system during yesterday’s ceremony, said he understood Waitati School was the first in the country to share energy with its community, and he hoped other schools would follow suit.
Waitati School principal Stacey Honeywill hoped there would be high interest from the community.
A solar energy plan had been in the pipeline long before she started at the school three years ago, she said.
‘‘It will benefit the school financially and provide learning opportunities for the students.’’
Waitati pupils had been learning about solar power in the month leading up to the installation and the school planned to continue teaching them about sustainability.
Dunedin city councillor Christine Garey told those gathered the school’s initiative fitted well with Dunedin’s goal to be a zero carbon emissions city.
‘‘Waitati have long been leaders in renewable energy.’’
❛ Waitati have long been leaders in renewable energy.