Solar my School a finalist in the Banksia Sustainability Awards

26 September 2018

Solar my School a finalist in the Banksia Sustainability Awards

Waverley, Woollahra and Randwick Council’s free Solar my School program is a finalist in the 2018 Banksia Sustainability Awards, the world’s longest-running sustainability awards.

The awards are Australia’s highest sustainability honour, recognising Australian individuals, communities, businesses and government for their innovation and excellence in environmental and social stewardship.

To celebrate 30 years of the awards, its founders the Banksia Foundation has aligned the awards with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, a set of 17 global goals including climate action and affordable and clean energy.

Anthony Weinberg, 3-Council Regional Environmental Program Coordinator, said it was an honour to be a finalist in the government category in this milestone year.

“Solar my School has been responsible for helping schools install some of the largest solar power systems in the eastern suburbs, driving down carbon emissions and reaching over 22,000 students with important lessons in tangible climate change solutions,” Mr Weinberg said.

“Lots of schools want solar, but don’t know where to start, and that’s where Solar my School comes in, by making the process simple.”

Solar my School was established in 2017 by the three Councils to help schools in Sydney’s east install solar power, reaping the educational, financial and environmental benefits of clean locally produced renewable energy.

It helps schools navigate a path to solar success from start to finish, from initial solar feasibility and funding advice, through to tender assistance and installation, as well as education for students.

Kincoppal-Rose Bay was the first school to install solar in May 2017 as part of the program – the largest system in Sydney’s east outside UNSW. Most recent installs include Waverley Public School, Maroubra Bay, Waverley College, Emanuel School, Bondi Public School and Rose Bay Public School.

Solar my School is also a finalist in the state government’s NSW Green Globe Awards and the Climate Council’s Cities Power Partnership Awards.

Winners of the Banksia Sustainability Awards will be announced on 29 November in Melbourne.

Details: www.solarmyschool.org.au

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