Does your school want to apply for a grant under the National Solar Schools Program?

Already applied but need help?

Important update 03 February 2010: The National Solar Schools Program re-opens on 01 May 2010! We have less than three months to ensure Tasmania schools are at the front of the queue this time around. You need to continue getting your plans together so we can ALL hit "SUBMIT" together on 1 May 2010. We are here to help...see below.
 

The Tasmanian Centre for Global Learning provides FREE assistance with:

• Applications and reporting
• Ideas for projects
• Gathering quotes
• Identifying permissible installations
• Renewable Energy Credits paperwork
• Liaising with suppliers and consultants
• Incorporating the project in your curriculum
• School visits in the Greater Hobart area to discuss options or provide a presentation to students, staff, parents, friends and community on possibilities
  Phone and email assistance provided state-wide

Contact Us   |   NSSP Application Steps   |   What some Tassie schools are doing



The Sustainable Schools Support Service (SSSS) is funded by the Tasmanian Climate Change Office and involves Project Officer, Corey Peterson, providing assistance to schools in researching and planning the best way to spend - in your specific context - the $50,000 available to every school in Australia for sustainability improvements.

Corey has a Masters degree in Environmental Science and also works as the Sustainability Promoter at the award winning MacKillop Catholic College, where they have installed a number of sustainability improvements over the past few years (see MacKillop College). It is our goal to ensure that every Tasmanian school accesses the Commonwealth Government NSSP funds for sustainability improvements that will make all of our schools winners.

There are a wide range of projects that can be paid for from YOUR SCHOOL’S $50,000 NSSP FUNDING, including the installation of a range of renewable energy generation, water and energy efficiency measures:

• solar power systems
• rainwater tanks
• small wind turbines
• small hydro power generators
• solar hot water systems
• energy efficiency lighting
• ceiling fans door and window draught seals
• ceiling, wall and floor insulation
• sensors, timers and thermostats
• automatic door closers and automatic sliding doors
• external window fittings
• skylights
• shade awnings
• smart meters and displays.

Corey is available one day per week to meet with schools in the Greater Hobart area and is available to give a presentation on the NSSP - the sorts of sustainability efforts that can be funded and the steps required. Corey is also available via email (corey@afairerworld.org) and telephone (03-6223-1025) to schools throughout the state.

To further make this as easy as possible for schools, the Tasmanian Sustainable Schools Cooperative was created. The TSSC is a group of Tasmanian companies vetted by the Department of Education (in their 2008 tender process and meeting all current NSSP requirements for monitoring and product efficiencies at 01 July 2009), as well as offering good deals for schools undertaking the NSSP. For Department of Education schools, only one quote is needed if TSSC companies are selected as per tender specifications.

The companies include:

• Powercom and Datacall for photovoltaic and wind energy systems and required smart metering systems locally designed to NSSP requirements and with local school involvement in the design and information included in the online web interface (see photo above);
• EcoTasmania for evacuated-tube solar hot water systems designed for the colder Tasmanian environment; e-LP energy efficient lighting specialists; and local water tank companies.

These suppliers have been cooperative in offering group purchasing discounts, extended warranties and monitoring, as well as localised service (keeping jobs and skills in Tasmania).

For these reasons, the Sustainable Schools Support Service project officer (Corey Peterson) recommends that all schools get quotes from the TSSC to compare to any other quotes received.
 

To find out more contact:
Corey Peterson
Tasmanian Centre for Global Learning
4 Battery Square, Battery Point, 7004
Ph 03 6223 1025 or 0418 294 496
Email: corey@afairerworld.org
 

The world's future is in our hands!

                        

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NSSP application steps:

from National Solar Schools Program

TIMELINE -- once your plan is developed and submitted online and there are no questions or reasons for the NSSP assessors to come back to the school with questions or changes regarding their plan:

Week 0   - Submit plan online.

Week 10 - You will most likely know if plan is approved; if not, it is at this time that you can call the hotline on 1800 703 831 and they will submit a query to the "approving" part of the government to track the progress of your submitted plan.

Week 12 - You should receive the funding agreement to sign and send back, and then the monies are transferred within the next fortnight.

Week 14 - You can turn on the installers to get to work once funds transferred.

Week 40 - Submit the Installation and Final Report to NSSP (the requirement is to have all installations and bills paid within 6 months from receipt of the money from the NSSP).
 

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What some Tassie schools are doing:

MacKillop Catholic College is doubling the size of their existing photovoltaic system and adding the new smart metering system from Powercom/Datacall as well as installing four 300 litre solar hot water systems.

Ogilvie High School is working with their architects to incorporate a substantial photovoltaic system into their new federally-funded building additions.

Fahan School plans to install photovoltaics and an extensive storm water collection system.

Snug and Albuera Street Primaries are focussing on photovoltaics and energy efficient lighting.

Catholic Education Office systemic schools are being managed centrally to further leverage group buy discounts. They are undertaking an energy audit at all schools to get the best mix of options for each school. Many of the systems are being designed into the Building Education Revolution, National School Pride, and Trade Centre building works. All schools will have at minimum a 2kW photovoltaic system, plus anything from solar hot water, heater timers, energy efficient lighting and shade awnings to water tanks and skylights.


Details from other will be added as applications are submitted and approved.