Primary and secondary schools across Australia will have access to funding for solar panels and rainwater tanks from 15 July 2010, under new funding for the $420 million National Solar Schools Program.

Under the National Solar Schools Program, grants of up to $50,000 ($100,000 for multi-campus schools) are awarded to eligible primary and secondary schools to install solar and other renewable power systems, rainwater tanks and a range of energy efficiency measures.

The Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water, Senator Penny Wong, announced $51 million in funding would be available to schools in 2010-11.

“More than 1000 schools across the nation have already installed solar systems under this program, and another 1500 schools have projects underway to become solar schools,” Senator Wong said.

“Since the program began in 2008, about 6 MW of renewable solar power has been installed in schools – the equivalent of meeting the electricity needs of 1200 average households each day.

Under the program guidelines, schools will have to demonstrate value for money, environmental and educational benefits in their applications.

Applications for the new funding round will close on 20 August 2010.