Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School
Ph (02) 6684 3223
349 Left Bank Road, Mullumbimby, NSW 2482
  • Home
  • About
    • Welcome
    • Our Mission
    • Our Community
    • Our Board
    • Why Shearwater?
    • Working at Shearwater
  • Information
    • School announcements
    • Term 2 COVID-19 FAQs
    • Calendar
    • Student Wellbeing
    • The School Year
    • The School Day
    • Communication
    • School Policies
    • Safe on Social Media
    • Annual Report
    • Strategic Plan
  • Education
    • Early Childhood >
      • Playgroup
      • Preschool
      • Kindergarten
    • Primary School
    • Middle School
    • Senior School
    • Eurythmy
  • Enrolments
    • Enrolling your Child
    • Early Childhood Enrolments
    • Student Exits
    • Enrolment Forms
  • Fees
    • 2022 Fees
    • Paying Fees
    • Financial Assistance Program
  • Noticeboard
  • Events
    • Shearwater Wearable Arts
  • Contact
    • School contact details
  • Library
  • Blog

Shearwater Goes Solar

23/3/2021

 
Picture

​Shearwater has made the switch to solar in a big way, installing a 99-kilowatt system to power the School into the future. The new system is part of a multifaceted approach to reduce emissions and improve environmental outcomes.
 
Head of School James Goodlet said the School’s existing 8kw solar array was failing and the time was right for a major upgrade.
 
“We had planned to install the panels in 2020. But with the onset of COVID-19 came financial uncertainty and a need to halt spending on infrastructure projects until we had a clearer picture of the impact of the pandemic.
 
“With the increase in electricity prices and the reduction in solar panel prices, came the opportunity to install now and make a quick enough return on our investment without a huge financial risk. We estimate the School will cover installation costs in four years. So it’s a win for the environment and a win for our finances.
 
“Shearwater has a long history of integrating the natural environment into our educational experiences and philosophy. There is a big push from students to make Shearwater a more sustainable place and it’s great that we’ve been able to support that vision with this project.”
 
The new solar array is made up of 242 solar panels, each producing 410 watts per module, creating the 99.22 kW system.
 
“Unlike a regular household, which is empty most of the day while family members are out studying or working, the majority of our power-usage happens during the school day, when our solar panels are hard at work. So on school days we’ll be using most of the energy we produce. On weekends and holidays, up to 60kW of energy will be fed into the town grid. The payment for this electricity produced will offset the cost of running data centres and refrigerators overnight when our solar system is not producing any power."
 
Importantly at this time of year, there are enough panels to take into account fluctuations caused by wet and cloudy weather.
 
While at this stage the school doesn’t have a specific zero emissions target, James said he was confident the School would continue the great work done by many passionate staff and students over its history.
 
“There has been much work done in this area already, with many great achievements, such as regenerative farming practices, waste management and the decades-long bush regeneration project that has seen the planting of more than 20 thousand trees, transforming degraded agricultural land into a thriving wildlife corridor.
 
“Our Class 7 students have recently finished planting over 700 native shrubs and trees, creating a small forest that they can watch grow over the years ahead. Every class across the School is given regular opportunities to help repair and restore the local environment.

"Climate anxiety is impacting on the wellbeing of many of our young people today. We want our students to know they can be part of the solution.”
 
This report was produced by Shearwater's Year 12 English Studies class


Comments are closed.

    Categories

    All
    Alumni
    Art
    Ask The Board
    Camps
    Early Childhood
    Environment
    Eurythmy
    Festivals
    High School
    Library
    Performance
    Pet Day
    P&F
    Primary School
    Sport
    Staff
    The Farm

    Archives

    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    July 2017
    May 2017
    November 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    March 2016
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    February 2015
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014

    RSS Feed

© Shearwater The Mullumbimby Steiner School