The solar array at Paarl School. Picture: Art•hub.
Brackenfell's Paarl School for special needs pupils will now source nearly half of its energy needs from a newly installed solar array.
The power from the 182 solar panels was switched on at the beginning of the month, and the 101 kW solar project will provide clean energy for the school’s approximately 500 staff and learners over a 20-year leasing period, according to solar-leasing company Sun Exchange.
The installation of the solar panels was made possible by a R782 000 donation from a German non-profit organisation, Capetopia eV, and a power purchase agreement with Sun Exchange.
The school would pay a per kilowatt-hour rate for solar power that was nearly 75% lower than the utility rate in the first year alone, with savings expected to grow as utility tariffs continued to rise, and the school could earn money from any excess power fed back into the grid, Sun Exchange said in a statement.
The project was expected to generate more than 2 700 MWh of clean energy over the 20-year-lease period avoiding approximately 2 800 tons of carbon emissions. "That is equivalent to eliminating more than 1 400 tons of burning coal,” said Sun Exchange.
Garth Hewitt, chairman of the school's governing body, said: “With our new solar project, we are proud to now also showcase how a school can take steps to create a brighter and more sustainable world for future generations. We are grateful to Capetopia for their generous donation.”
The director of Capetopia eV, Jessica Bönn, said they were proud to contribute to the project.