Students at Hawkesbury Independent School have taken the opportunity to learn about renewable energy and the cost of living after new solar panels were installed with a grant secured by Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman.

The school purchased and installed $10,000 worth of solar panelling after receiving funding through the Local Schools Community Program, and the students immediately began learning more about the new addition.

“I was really impressed by a presentation the students showed me when I went to visit the school recently, which calculated how much could be saved using the new solar panels,” Ms Templeman said.

“The students worked out the school used 5029 kWh of electricity in the three months from June to August last year, for a total cost of $1455.90.

“This year, after the installation of the solar panels, the school used 2062 kWh of electricity costing $753.37 over the same time period – saving just over $700.

“They even came up with ideas on how they would like to spend the savings made on electricity, and suggestions included new plumbing to limit water use, more energy-efficient LED lighting, and a skylight.

“Students were able to tell me how many panels they had installed, and we also talked about the benefits of renewable energy.

“It’s fan