Tekapo school's pupils were so pleased about their new solar panels that they made a song and dance about it. State-owned generator Genesis has spent $40,000 installing photovoltaic solar heating panels and a battery system inside the school, which could also be used as a back-up source of power.
As part of the process, the school has had classes on the benefits of energy efficiency and solar power - which culminated in a performance at the local community theatre this week featuring all the school's 22 pupils. Kyle Bell, aged 11, said he had learned a lot about how to be a good "green" user.
"We need to try and reduce our energy usage. You can do it in lots of different ways, even turning off the lights when you're not in the room can help halve our energy use," he said. Genesis chairwoman Dame Jenny Shipley also spoke to the school.
Last year, the Government handed over ownership of the Tekapo A and B power stations from rival state-owned generator Meridian to Genesis. Genesis Energy spokesman Richard Gordon said in times of a power outage, the battery would allow the school to go off the grid for up to three days.
"It's not just about energy, it's about education. There will be a hands-on project that will teach them about solar energy. This project will make the school become even more of a hub for the community," he said.
Mr Gordon said the initiative was part of its School Gen programme, which has benefited more than 46 schools in the past six years. Lake Tekapo School principal Anna Roseingrave was delighted with the initiative. "It's been awesome. We've only just begun to learn about what we can do with this," she said
Matthew Littlewood, The Timaru Herald, September 7, 2012
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