1 Jul 2020

Cherry Energy Solutions

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SOLAR PANELS FOR SCHOOLS

As community hubs of knowledge and innovation, schools are strongly positioned to lead the way in the adoption of green energy with rooftop solar. In addition to the clear environmental benefits of reducing carbon emissions, there are many payoffs for schools taking on this leadership role – from financial savings to an enhanced learning environment.

If your school is considering making the switch to solar, it’s worth considering all the possibilities. Cherry Energy Solutions can assist you in making the most of the transition.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR PANELS FOR SCHOOLS?

Reducing energy costs

From lighting and air conditioning to computer labs and audiovisual equipment, energy demands in the education sector are high. Rising power bills are an ongoing concern for many schools, with turbulent prices making it difficult to budget for other essential resources. Installing rooftop solar may be the ideal solution for schools seeking a more cost-effective and futureproof approach to energy management, offering a strong return on investment.

Minimising carbon footprint

The mounting global effects of C02 emissions mean it’s more important than ever that we take responsibility for our carbon footprint. As community hubs, schools are well-positioned to lead by example in this area, providing a model of positive action for young people and their families while immediately reducing local emissions.

Creating learning opportunities

In addition to modelling energy efficiency for young people, school solar projects can provide sought-after learning opportunities. For example, an intelligent energy monitoring system (such as our own Cherry Pulse) can enables students to be directly involved in collaborative analysis and decision making with real-world applications.

We’ve developed an exclusive knowledge sharing program for our solar schools clients, which you read about in our Energy Smart Schools brochure.

Enhancing green credentials and increasing enrolments

For an increasing number of families across Melbourne, environmental awareness and innovation are important considerations in choosing a school for their children. Campuses that feature a renewable energy program offer environmental, financial, and educational benefits for the school community, which may increase enrolment.

 

WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOLS?

Full solar upgrades

Many urban campus buildings have large areas of flat, unshaded roof space, making them ideal for solar panels. For schools with this feature, there’s little in the way of structural barriers to installing medium to large systems and achieving impressive cost cuts. Full solar upgrades are often paired with complementary measures such as energy efficient lighting and battery storage.

LED upgrades

Compared to traditional lighting systems, LEDs lights can reduce energy consumption by as much as 84%. LED bulbs also last up to 10 times longer than traditional bulbs – a significant factor for large complexes like schools that can incorporate hundreds of light fittings. Many schools opt to pair solar installation with an LED upgrade for maximal benefit.

Monitoring and battery storage

Intelligent monitoring technology provides students, staff and school decision-makers with real time control and insights into a school’s energy use patterns. Cherry Pulse, our state of the art monitoring system, offers an accessible means to incorporate energy monitoring and management into schools.

Additionally, school solar projects generating excess energy may benefit from  an AC-connected energy storage system such as a Tesla Powerpack.

Hybrid solar

A flexible option to consider is hybrid solar. For schools seeking to retain the convenience of being connected to the grid while also having the option to store excess energy in a battery, this is a popular solution.

 

WHAT WE OFFER

Cherry have partnered with more than 65 schools across the country to assist them in taking control of their energy usage. We’re national leaders in the renewables sector, having installed over 40MW of commercial solar systems across Australia.

Through our exclusive knowledge transfer programs, we engage students in empowering learning opportunities and help them participate in major decisions around their school’s energy use. See our Energy Smart Schools brochure for more information.