Schoolgen FAQs
- Why is Genesis Energy funding the Schoolgen initiative?
- Who has developed Schoolgen?
- Will Genesis Energy be offering solar panels to more schools in the future?
- How many schools have had solar panels installed?
- How much energy will the panels produce?
- Why did Genesis Energy choose solar energy for Schoolgen?
- Will schools with the solar panels be able to export energy into the local network or National Grid?
- How much is Schoolgen costing the schools?
- Schoolgen Educational Materials
- What was the role of the Ministry for the Environment?
Why is Genesis Energy funding the Schoolgen initiative?
As one of the largest energy companies in New Zealand, Genesis Energy is conscious of the environmental effects of burning fossil fuels for electricity generation and the role it plays in meeting the country's climate change objectives. Through Schoolgen we are bringing solar energy and energy-efficiency to life for children across New Zealand in a fun, exciting and informative way (at no cost to schools). Our young people are the future leaders and decision makers, and it's important that they understand the role renewable energy and energy efficiency will play in creating a sustainable future.
Schoolgen is a Genesis Energy initiative and is owned, funded and operated by the company. Genesis Energy has two highly qualified environmental educators who work in the Schoolgen schools at the Primary, Intermediate and Secondary levels. Educational resources were initially developed by Lift Education and are now added to by the environmental educators as their time permits.
Will Genesis Energy be offering solar panels to more schools in the future?
Genesis Energy is offering three more schools the opportunity to join the Schoolgen programme in 2012. These schools will be selected from Christchurch schools who are Genesis Energy customers and who apply for installation of the 2 kW photovoltaic (PV) system. Schoolgen hope to install more PV systems with the latest in solar cell and inverter technology in 2013 and beyond. These schools will all receive on-going assistance from the environmental educators.
The existing 42 schools that received the solar panels will continue to be a vital part of the programme and to receive further support from the Schoolgen Environmental Educators.
How many schools have had solar panels installed?
Since the Schoolgen programme began in 2006, Genesis Energy has given 42 schools across the North Island a 2kW photovoltaic (PV) system. Selected areas in the South Island now have the chance to gain the latest in PV technology in 2012.
How much energy will the panels produce?
Each school will have photovoltaic (PV) panels capable of producing up to 2 kilo-Watts (kW) of electrical power under ideal sun conditions. Averaged over one year the 2 kW PV system could be expected to generate around 8 kWh of electrical energy per day. This figure will be higher in summer (up to 15 kWh) and lower in winter, as well as on very cloudy days. In total Genesis Energy has installed 84kW of PV capacity in New Zealand as of the end of 2011, making the total Schoolgen installation the largest distributed PV installation in New Zealand. This will continue to grow in 2012.
Why did Genesis Energy choose solar energy for Schoolgen?
Photovoltaic (PV) technology was chosen as the renewable energy focus for Schoolgen for several reasons. Solar energy is a very accessible form of renewable energy through-out New Zealand. PV panels are also well-suited in the school environment as they are extremely low maintenance, non-distracting, silent, and emit no pollutants. Additionally, the fact that sunlight can be transformed into electricity is intriguing!
Will schools with the solar panels be able to export energy into the local network or National Grid?
PV panels with a total capacity of 2kW are able to supply a proportion of power required by a school. They are potentially able to provide a surplus of electricity which can be exported back into the National Grid. However, even during weekends and school holidays, the energy generated by the panels will most likely be consumed by the schools' base consumption such as refrigerators, hot water cylinders, and computer servers. Through rigorous energy efficiency measures it may be possible to enable a school to have a net export of electricity back to the grid, thus generating a small credit on the school’s power bill.
How much is Schoolgen costing the schools?
PV panels with a total capacity of 2kW are able to supply a proportion of power required by a school. They are potentially able to provide a surplus of electricity which can be exported back into the National Grid. However, even during weekends and school holidays, the energy generated by the panels will most likely be consumed by the schools' base consumption such as refrigerators, hot water cylinders, and computer servers. Through rigorous energy efficiency measures it may be possible to enable a school to have a net export of electricity back to the grid, thus generating a small credit on the school’s power bill.
Schoolgen Educational Materials
A key objective of Schoolgen is to raise student, staff, parent and community awareness of renewable energy, in particular solar energy, energy efficiency and climate change issues. Schoolgen teaching resources are freely available from the Schoolgen website for any school in New Zealand to use. The teaching resources vary in levels and subject matter, and cover a wide range of learning areas including Science (particularly the Physical World Strand), Mathematics with Statistics, Technology, Social Sciences, and English.
What was the role of the Ministry for the Environment?
Genesis Energy applied for, and received 4 years funding from the Ministry for the Environment's Sustainable Management Fund. The funding was used to partially fund the development costs of the Schoolgen programme and associated educational materials. This funding ceased in June 2010.
