A CATHOLIC school in Queensland now boasts the largest solar farm operating at a private education facility in the southern hemisphere.
The $3 million dollar project at Shalom Catholic College in Bundaberg is reducing huge power bills, storing power each day, and providing a model of “ecological conversion” other schools and businesses can emulate.
“I think it’s a very real example of transformation, and it is great that it’s something that our kids walk past every day,” principal Dan McMahon said.
“This shows a different future, a largely fossil fuel reduced future.”
The project fits perfectly with the Church’s commitment to provide an authentic witness as responsible stewards of creation in caring for the earth, an idea that Pope Francis articulated in his encyclical, Laudato Si’.
Located in the Rockhampton diocese, Bundaberg lies below the Tropic of Capricorn, and enjoys a year-round abundance of sunshine.
Even in the middle of the day when every air conditioner in the school is running, the Shalom solar farm generates enough power from its 810 kw tracking solar system to export to the grid.
At a cost of about $1million, 20 Tesla batteries enable the school to store power overnight and off-set 100 per cent of the school’s energy requirements.
Looking online at Shalom’s power usage, Mr McMahon, can see at a glance the immediate savings.
“In February 2020, electricity cost us $30,600. In February this year it cost us $11,500,” he said.
The savings will be even more once the school can demonstrate to the government that it consumes less power each year – which will reduce the school’s tariff.
Last year Shalom College spent $400,000 on electricity.
“We’re hoping to reduce that to close to zero,” Mr McMahon said.
In the first 4 months of operation, the school has used 335MWh of energy with only 13MWh coming from the grid, representing just over three per cent of their energy needs.
The reduction in emissions is also impressive.
In February 2020, CO2 emissions from electricity reached 83.2 tonnes. In February this year the figure had drastically reduced to 5.4 tonnes.
“That’s a pretty remarkable decrease,” Mr McMahon said.
“It wasn’t that long ago that people would say it’s impossible for us to move from fossil fuels to clean energy.
“There are still hurdles to overcome but this is showing them in real time that the school they are going to has the potential to be completely green.”
The Shalom College project is not unique – schools across Queensland are exploring renewable energy options and reaping the rewards.
Brisbane Catholic Education is driving its commitment to “ecological conversion” in schools through a project called Living Laudato Si’ – Energy Reduction and Management.
BCE has completed energy audits at each of its 142 schools, including the collection of energy consumption data.
After this expert advice is given on the best case-by-case combinations of solar and ground-sourced heat exchange, assisted heating, cooling and ventilating, eco-power and water storage, LED-lighting, insulation and natural shade, and waste management.
BCE’s senior education officer of future planning Dr Margaret Lee said every school is on a centralised energy contract that means “we are buying power cheaper by working as one”.
“This frees up resources to support transition to a more sustainable future such as investment in energy efficient LED lighting, more efficient air conditioning and solar PV,” she said.
Townsville Catholic Education has been installing solar panels on its schools for several years, and last year signed up for a Tesla battery storage project on the way to having its schools powered 100 per cent from renewable sources.
The agency recently accepted a tender from Queensland-based commercial solar business GEM Energy Australia to deliver the project over the next 10 years.
Rockhampton Diocese entered a similar partnership deal to install solar panels on schools.
Catholic Education Rockhampton approached GEM Energy Australia to not only reduce their carbon footprint and rising electricity bills, but also to show leadership in the community and inspire environmentally conscious students.
More than 50 schools are involved, and with 1550 students, Shalom Catholic College is the largest school in the diocese undergoing an energy transformation.
At first, Mr McMahon was told the college didn’t have enough roof space.
However it did have spare land available.
“We’re blessed in that we have quite a bit of space,” he said.
“We cleared three acres and put in 2,000 solar panels that track the sun and make them more efficient.
The other efficiency we gained is that they are all in one place. There is one wire connecting it to the Tesla batteries and our power system.
“This was a diocesan initiative, and it has worked particularly well for us.”
After visiting Bundaberg recently, CEO at GEM Energy Australia, Jack Hooper said the Shalom College project was “easily the coolest project I’ve seen and we’ve delivered” during 10 years working in the renewable energy industry.
“The Rockhampton Diocese has been so progressive in embracing renewable technologies and are on the pathway to achieving 100 percent renewable energy across the diocese, setting an example that others need to follow,” Mr Hooper said.
“So it’s really pleasing, and the batteries are fully charged,” Mr McMahon said.
“It’s a really exciting project and it’s better than we thought it would be.”
