The Tribune

By KYLE WALKINE

Tribune Staff Reporter

kwalkine@tribunemedia.net

THE Ministry of Education plans to install solar panels at some government schools in an effort to lower its $5m electricity bill, Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald said yesterday.

The Marathon MP said the government is currently deciding on the schools that will be used as pilot projects for the solar panel initiative.

“Once you’re talking about solar, you’re looking at probably cutting down around 35 per cent to 50 per cent off of the electricity bill, depending on what it is,” Mr Fitzgerald told reporters before heading into Cabinet.

“There have been proposals, with regards to solar power, for some of the schools. We’re looking at those in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment to make a decision on the best way forward. But obviously we want to alleviate and cut as much electricity as possible.

“We want to make sure that we do it in conjunction with the Ministry of the Environment and with their guidance.

“That’s really where we’re at now and so there are discussions going on,” he said.

“We’ll probably be piloting one or two schools this upcoming year and use them as a test case. We have to, of course, look at the roofs or the open space that we have. So there will be a different plan depending on how the schools are laid out.”

There are reportedly a number of suppliers willing to finance the purchasing and installation of the solar panels, according to Mr Fitzgerald, which will allow the government to pay off the debt over a period of time.

“But again, it’s going to be a policy position for the government, which is going to be driven by the Ministry of Environment and Minister Kenred Dorsett,” he said.