Solar in schools: how to build a renewable legacy for generations of students

Peter Hormann, school council president at Mount Alexander College, documents the school’s journey to installing rooftop solar with EnviroGroup, sharing practical guidance on approvals, funding, tendering and delivery.

Reposted from original article from Renew Magazine.

Most schools stand to benefit significantly from rooftop solar, reducing electricity costs and freeing up funds for educational purposes. However, school leadership often lacks the time, resources and specialist expertise required to oversee solar projects – particularly in state schools, where attention is rightly focused on core teaching and learning priorities.

This article outlines practical steps for school councils seeking to install solar. Drawing on our experience installing rooftop solar at Mount Alexander College in Victoria, the lessons we care should be relevant to most schools nationwide, as well as to other community-led organisations such as not-for-profits, churches and sporting groups.

Why solar works well in schools

Schools are particularly well positioned to benefit from solar, as their operating hours closely align with daytime solar energy generation. In addition, large roof areas – such as gymnasiums and halls – provide ideal sites for installation. Together, these conditions enable substantial reductions in electricity costs without affecting the Student Resource Package (SRP), the Victorian State Government’s per-student funding allocation.

For example, Mount Alexander College’s solar project is estimated to save approximately $27,000 per year (in today’s dollars) over the 30-year lifespan of the system. These savings create a lasting financial, educational and environmental legacy, supporting generations of students. Importantly, Solar PV also provides strong educational value, offering a real-world example of climate action that enriches learning across science, technology and sustainability, while positioning schools as role models for the values they promote.

When is the right time?

For MAC, annual electricity costs had recently risen by more than 40%, reaching approximately $91,000 (ex-GST) in 2024. This increase was driven by a growing student population and the addition of a new five-storey, all-electric building. At the same time, the replacement of a leaking gym-hall roof created a suitable opportunity to install a solar PV system. Taken together, these factors made it an appropriate moment for the school to consider a solar PV project. The right timing will vary from school to school and typically depends on strong support from the school council, school leadership and the broader school community.

Installation period

System installation was scheduled for the post-exam period in late November 2025. Following some weather-related delays, rooftop racking and cabling were completed during the first week, including final adjustments required to accommodate the height-safe access infrastructure and the outcomes of the structural assessment.

The second week focused on installing the solar PV panels, inverter, and the PV distribution and building take-off boards. System connection was completed successfully after school hours, resulting in minimal disruption to school operations. With support from the school’s IT team, the inverter and monitoring system were connected to the internet via fixed network cabling, avoiding potential Wi-Fi reliability issues. Throughout the two-week installation period, logistics, staging, vehicle movements and platform access were carefully coordinated with the school to maintain site safety and enable continued gym-hall use via an alternative accessway.

What’s next?

MAC will continue its electrification journey, including the eventual transition from gas to electric systems for hot water, space heating and cooking. The school is also exploring opportunities for community EV charging during non-school operating days and times, with further updates to be shared through Renew.