Reddam House, part of the Inspired Schools, Constantia, launched a pilot solar project at its schools to produce about 40% of its power needs.
This project has an estimated value of R85 million.
If successful, the pilot project will be rolled out to other Reddam House and Reddford House schools.
This is not the first time schools have rolled out renewable technologies to meet own needs.
Back in 2014, a solar-powered Internet school at Jiyana Secondary School in Tembisa, was supported by Anglo American’s Kumba Iron Ore business, with an estimated overall education and training budget of R34.8 million (£1.96m).
Other examples of empowered schools with renewable technology include automotive giant, Yanfeng, in partnership with SolarAfrica. This project resulted in a total of 24 solar panels installed at African Angel schools in just one week. About 20,843 kWh of electricity are generated annually from the project.
About 41 public schools in the Western Cape, will also be introduced to solar power.
Iconic for leading in green technologies, is the Stellenbosch Green School, situated in Cloetesville. It became the first school in South Africa to receive an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) from the Stellenbosch University partnering GreenX Engineering (GXE).
A blog from Stellenbosch, reported that on Friday, 12 August 2022, the Green School (Die Groen Skool), received about 7.5kW solar panel (photo voltaic) system which will generate approximately 14MWh (14 000 units) of electricity per year, saving about R20 000 per year, while selling electricity back to the grid.
Team GreenX, the brains behind the Green School, is led by Dr Jason Samuels, who received his PhD in electrical engineering in 2021.
Other shining examplary schools are the German school in Cape Town, which has been running on 100% renewable energy since 2016.
The German International School Cape Town (DSK) in Tamboerskloof, has fully embraced a green future by installing a 150kWp solar electricity system, which is designed to feed excess power back into Cape Town’s electricity grid.
Picture: Unicef