Solar Schools - Photovoltaic Arrays for High Schools
Preamble
Whereas Canada faces an urgent need to reduce carbon emissions, and
Whereas school rooftops often have excellent sun exposure, and
Whereas education faces chronic funding shortfalls, and
Whereas Canada faces an urgent need to train young people to deal with the challenges posed by climate change, and
Whereas, as centres of the communities in which they are situated, schools are ideal locations for demonstrating low-carbon power generation,
Operative
BE IT RESOLVED THAT a Green government will implement a Solar Schools project in which photovoltaic (PV) arrays will be installed on school rooftops with suitable sun exposure to reduce their energy costs.
Background
This resolution takes the work of the Community Energy Group of Transition Salt Spring as a model, in which the trial installation will cost approximately $62,000 with substantial community inputs. More information on the Salt Spring project can be found at: saltspringcommunityenergy.com. Costs for PV panels have fallen dramatically in the last two years so with a budget of $100,000 per school, this levy would provide funds to equip 200 schools per year. With costs for PV panels expected to continue to fall, the budgeted cost per school will need to be reviewed on an annual basis but it can be expected that over time the number of schools that can be equipped each year will rise.
Code
Proposal Type
Submitter Name
Party Commentary
The motion is consistent with messaging and approved policy. It should be noted that the management of schools is under provincial jurisdiction, however, the federal government can provide funding for such a project. Current Vision Green policy proposes tax incentives, grants and new regulations for solar roofs.
Preamble
Whereas Canada faces an urgent need to reduce carbon emissions, and
Whereas school rooftops often have excellent sun exposure, and
Whereas education faces chronic funding shortfalls, and
Whereas Canada faces an urgent need to train young people to deal with the challenges posed by climate change, and
Whereas, as centres of the communities in which they are situated, schools are ideal locations for demonstrating low-carbon power generation,
Operative
BE IT RESOLVED THAT a Green government will implement a Solar Schools project in which photovoltaic (PV) arrays will be installed on school rooftops with suitable sun exposure to reduce their energy costs.
Sponsors
Background
This resolution takes the work of the Community Energy Group of Transition Salt Spring as a model, in which the trial installation will cost approximately $62,000 with substantial community inputs. More information on the Salt Spring project can be found at: saltspringcommunityenergy.com. Costs for PV panels have fallen dramatically in the last two years so with a budget of $100,000 per school, this levy would provide funds to equip 200 schools per year. With costs for PV panels expected to continue to fall, the budgeted cost per school will need to be reviewed on an annual basis but it can be expected that over time the number of schools that can be equipped each year will rise.
Party Commentary
The motion is consistent with messaging and approved policy. It should be noted that the management of schools is under provincial jurisdiction, however, the federal government can provide funding for such a project. Current Vision Green policy proposes tax incentives, grants and new regulations for solar roofs.