08/09/2026
Some Marlborough Schools have been selected for solar installations - do you have solar at home? What are the pros and cons? 🌞
Seven Marlborough schools have been selected by the Government to have solar power installed.
Energy Minister Simeon Brown and Education Minister Erica Stanford announced last month that 500 schools have been selected across the country under the Government’s plan to improve schools’ energy.
Seven Marlborough schools: Grovetown School, Linkwater School, Picton School, Rapaura School, Redwoodtown School, Waitaria Bay School and Witherlea School have been chosen.
All of them are eligible to apply for 10KW of solar panels and Witherlea School can apply for 20KW.
Picton School principal Katie Talbot says she is really grateful the school has been included in the solar rollout.
The school has had its diesel boiler decommissioned and power upgraded so it is “ready to rock and roll with clean and efficient energy” on its site.
She says the process was very smooth and involved good communication from the Ministry team and their partners.
“We are currently awaiting our site inspection to confirm everything is ready to go. When this goes live, we expect to see a dramatic saving in our power bill, which means more money to invest in learning,” Katie says.
The Ministers selected schools facing energy or fuel insecurity, higher energy costs, those scheduled for gas or diesel boiler replacements, or those which have a need for greater energy resilience.
Under the programme, and following onsite assessments for suitability, solar panels will be installed at the 500 schools over three years.
Rapaura School Principal Carey Huria says she expects work to start in November.
"We are really pleased to be on the list for the Solar on Schools programme. It will have a great impact on the school by reducing our energy costs and reducing our carbon emissions.
“Our operational funding is significantly impacted by the increased costs of materials and resources, as well as the opportunities we provide our students.
"Anything that gives us a little extra funding to provide quality teaching programmes and environments is a win for our students.”
Erica Stanford said this programme made use of existing buildings, reducing the environmental footprint, and helping schools keep more money in their budgets year after year.
“Large schools are expected to save around $8,000 a year on average on electricity, freeing up money that can be spent on teaching and learning… This is a smart, practical investment in both our schools and New Zealand’s future.”
Pic cap: from left to right, Redwoodtown School enviroschool team members Sreeveni Suraj, Paulrole Epee, Alex Toms, Amelia Wallace, Havana Van Hoof, Xadie Goodall, Aliyah Taylor, Katelyn Johnstone, and Amelia Gillespie in front of a classroom block with solar panels. Photo: Cathie Bell.
