Queensland Advanced Clean Energy School Program

Client: Queensland Department of Education, in partnership with Downer EDI
Location: Queensland, Australia

Challenge

The Queensland Department of Education sought to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions across its schools while optimizing operational costs. With 289 schools requiring infrastructure upgrades, the challenge was to design and implement a comprehensive, scalable energy solution.

Solution

Pacific Sun Solar, leveraging our extensive expertise in solar energy and energy efficiency, partnered with Downer EDI to deliver tailored solutions for each school. Our approach included:

Solar System Design and Inspections:
- Conducted over 2,000 site-specific solar inspections, including:
  - Electrical audits of switchboards and infrastructure for optimal system design.
  - Roof structure, access, and safety assessments.
  - Drone surveys to capture detailed site data.

Holistic Equipment and Demand Audits:
- Completed energy efficiency evaluations on more than 20,000 buildings across 200 schools, addressing:
  - HVAC systems, hot water, refrigeration, and lighting.
  - Passive thermal efficiency and energy use habits.
  - Power factor and demand consumption analysis.

Results

At the conclusion of this multi-year program:

Solar Installation: Over 30 MW of solar energy systems installed across 289 schools.
Energy Efficiency: Tens of thousands of energy-efficient products deployed.
Carbon Reduction: Achieved significant carbon abatement, reducing emissions by tens of thousands of tonnes.

Our Detailed Facility Studies provided actionable insights for each school, covering:

Current energy use and equipment evaluations.
Custom recommendations for energy efficiency upgrades and optimized consumption habits.
Financial analysis to support decision-making for sustainable energy solutions.

Impact

The program represents a benchmark for large-scale solar and energy efficiency initiatives, driving cost savings and sustainability in Queensland’s educational sector. Pacific Sun Solar remains committed to delivering innovative, impactful solutions that empower communities to embrace clean energy.