RACQ Solar helps power school education in Fiji
Almost 1,500 primary and secondary students in the south pacific now have access to reliable and renewable electricity at school thanks to RACQ Solar.
In a bid to help the region benefit from renewable energy, the Queensland based organisation donated $18,000 worth of solar panels to four Fijian schools through the not-for-profit group, Its Time Foundation.
RACQ Solar CEO Jack Hooper said it’s extremely humbling to be able to ensure these students have access to renewable and reliable power for the next 25 years plus.
“We’ve seen the benefits of renewable energy in Queensland schools, and we’ve now been able to extend this support to remote communities which primarily relied on emergency power generators,” Mr Hooper said.
“Collectively the schools will save more than $30,000 per year and redirect the money spent on generator fuel and transport costs into educational resources.”
“Our commitment to helping deliver renewable energy solutions to nearby developing countries builds on our work to support Queensland communities transition to a cleaner, greener future through the use of solar and battery technology in the home and on the road.”
South Taveuni Primary School Head Teacher Jitend Narayan thanked RACQ Solar for its support to help improve the lives of local students and educators.
“The children are able to have power in their classrooms and the teachers can use projectors, Smart TVs and laptops for the delivery of their lessons,” Mr Narayan said.
“Carbon dioxide emissions will be dramatically reduced as we no longer need to rely on portable generators. This also saves us a lot of money, which we can use to buy teaching and learning equipment.”
Its Time Foundation founder Rob Edwards OAM said he was grateful for RACQ Solar’s sponsorship of the Its Time Foundation’s Solar for Schools program.
“We really thank RACQ Solar for its support. Our existence and ability to give kids on remote islands the opportunity of a modern education depends on the support of kind people and organisations who are committed to making the world a better place,” Founder Its Time Foundation Rob Edwards said.
“Organisations like RACQ are the engine rooms of our capacity to deliver these vital projects to help children who don’t have access to the same basic amenities and resources as those in Australia and other developed nations.”
More information can be found here - https://iitime.org/projects/.
Source: It's Time Foundation
Fijian schools supported by RACQ Solar (formerly GEM Energy) through Its Time Foundation:
South Taveuni High and Primary school
15kW solar system
820 students
45 teachers
Gunu Primary
6kW solar system
135 students
6 teachers
Banaban School Rabi
6kW solar system
416 students
14 teachers
2 support staff
SomoLevu Catholic School
5kW solar system
118 students
5 teachers