Embarking on a solar energy project in 2019, a Brackenfell high school has made a significant contribution to mitigate climate change by preventing almost a quarter of a million kilogrammes (250 t) of CO² being emitted into the atmosphere.
According to the My Climate Foundation carbon calculator, the carbon footprint for one passenger flying a roundtrip from Cape Town to Johannesburg is 0.499 t of CO²; do the math.
Since launching the first phase in 2019, Protea Heights Academy (PHA) in conjunction with Sun Exchange has generated over 200 000 kWh of clean energy in a project that will power the school for the next 20 years, and has saved the school 20% per year on electricity costs.
The school
is now almost ready for the second phase of the project with the installation
of another 100 solar panels – consisting of 144 cells per panel to total
14,400 solar cells.
Funding
The Sun Exchange platform enables solar cell owners to earn a modest income during the project’s lifespan and the solar cell owners powering the phase 1 solar project have also benefited beyond expectations, with the solar plant outperforming forecasts by around 10%.
In mere hours of the first phase being launched, and at no capital cost to the school, the project was fully funded by 119 members who purchased 34,17 kW of solar cells.
Citing an
example, principal; Andrea Coetzer says 100 cells purchased at R16, 200 will
earn its owner a total income of R48 828 over 20 years and reduce the
carbon footprint by 11 742 kg of CO².
“The school, through the Sun Exchange platform, pays for the energy generated. This is carefully tracked on the Sun Exchange platform who pays investers an annual return for energy generated,” she explained to TygerBurger last week.
“As a science and math centred school that prides itself on innovative thinking, it made sense for PHA to transition the school away from a national grid which relies heavily on coal. For one school to reduce the carbon footprint that much, that is a lot. The concept has created awareness among our learners and school community about climate change and the importance to combat it.
“It is our mission to show the community that you can make a huge difference by reducing your carbon footprint. Even if your contribution is small it goes a long way for the environment. We realised that we have the space and resources to use the sun instead of coal powered energy.
“These solar projects will empower us to give our students the best chance at a bright future. Keeping the power on in Africa and providing an immersive and uninterrupted learning experience has never been so important.”
As of 1 September, the project is approaching the 46,5% funded mark with 304 people already invested in the second phase.
“At the same price a pizza costs you, you can make a difference in the world,” she says.
For more information and to support the school on its solar journey, visit the Sun Exchange website.
