Unlock the benefits of solar for the education sector Solar offers a practical, cost-effective way for Australia’s education sector to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions. By generating power on-site during daylight hours, solar allows the sun to handle the hard work of powering your classrooms.
Solar works by converting sunlight into electricity through solar panels. Since many educational institutions operate during peak sunlight hours, your energy needs align
perfectly with solar’s operational times. Simply put, you benefit just by operating while
the sun shines. Additionally, by generating your own power on-site during daylight hours,
you're able to tap into renewable energy instead of relying on the grid.
“Solar is a great choice for education institutions seeking to manage costs and reduce carbon emissions,” – Liam McWhirter, General Manager at Origin Zero.
“Our team provides comprehensive support—from system recommendations to network
approvals and installation—enabling educators to focus on what they do best.” With reliable solar power and real-time monitoring available, you can trust your energy supply and enjoy long-term savings.
Government grants available to help the education sector go solar
With government funding available, solar has become more accessible and affordable, making now a great time to explore its benefits. Origin Zero, Education Australia’s preferred solar supplier, is here to help you take advantage of available grants and ensure a smooth transition to solar energy.
Origin is one of Australia’s leading energy companies with the ambition to lead the energy transition through cleaner energy and customer solutions. Origin Zero, a specialised team within Origin, works with institutions like yours and other large organisations to accelerate progress towards net-zero goals.
Why go solar with Origin Zero?
Reduce electricity costs and lower emissions: by installing an on-site solar system, you can make substantial progress toward a net-zerofuture and meet your school community’s expectations. Generating and using renewable energy reduces your carbon footprint and lowers long-term electricity costs by decreasing your reliance on grid-supplied energy. Additionally, reducing network charges allows you to reinvest in educational resources or infrastructure.
Education Australia’s preferred solar provider:
Origin Zero's extensive experience with supporting some of Australia’s largest businesses ensures the education sector can trust in its expertise. Origin Zero’s solar panels meet CEC standards and come with manufacturer warranties from 10 up to 25 years, along with
a limited output warranty on performance for 25 years. With real-time monitoring through
EnergyZone – an online energy management platform that allows business customers to view all energy usage data in one place – you can track your savings and energy targets for peace of mind.
End-to-end guidance and support:
Origin Zero’s team of experts manage all aspects of your solar transition, from recommending the right systems and obtaining network approvals, to ensuring a smooth installation. Additionally, the team offers post-installation support to ensure systems are functioning optimally and that you continue to reap the benefits of solar energy for years to come.
A gateway to increased efficiencies: solar is just the beginning. Through Origin Zero, you can access a range of additional energy efficiency and low-carbon solutions to enhance both energy production and usage. These include energy storage solutions, such as battery systems, which store excess energy for use during the night or peak demand periods. This can further enhance your energy independence and ensure a more
sustainable and reliable energy system.
Increase energy independence: by installing an on-site solar system, you reduce your reliance on the grid and gain greater control over your energy production with renewable power. Solar systems can be designed to scale based on your energy needs, enabling you to match your energy output to your consumption patterns.
#1 Solar installer award: SunWiz recognised our contribution to the Australian solar market, naming us the #1 Solar Installer from 2001-2022* across both the Small-scale Technology Certificates (STC) and Large-scale Generation Certificate (LGC) markets in 2022. This achievement reflects our commitment to making renewable energy options more accessible for our customers. Since 2015, we have installed over 100MW of solar projects for our business customers across Australia. Our extensive solar experience ensures we have the expertise to deliver any solar project, and the SunWiz award is a testament to this. *Based on installed solar power capacity in Australia, measured by SunWiz covering the period from 2001 (when government data became available) to the end of 2022.
Education sector embracing solar
Origin Zero is currently partnering with a secondary college in New South Wales, supporting a student body of over 2,000 in their goals to reduce carbon emissions and
manage energy costs. Following a detailed energy assessment, a 99kW solar system will
be installed to meet the college’s annual energy requirements, aiming to meet 100 percent of its daytime energy needs.
The system is projected to save the institution $28,000 in the first year on energy bills while reducing emissions by 90 tonnes of CO2e, the equivalent of powering 24 households in NSW for a year. (calculated based on Frontier Economics' analysis of AEMO and DNSP data, 2020).
The financial benefits will allow the college to allocate more resources to student-focused initiatives.
The installation process will be managed by Origin Zero's experienced team to minimise
disruption to the college's daily activities. From evaluating site-specific needs and securing necessary permits to coordinating installation, the team aims to ensure the transition is as smooth and efficient as possible “It’s encouraging to see education institutions embracing the benefits of solar,” – says Liam McWhirter.
“Whether they aim to offset part or all of their energy consumption, we have solutions tailored to meet their requirements. Solar offers financial savings, freeing up resources for other priorities, while also contributing to meaningful carbon reduction. We look forward to seeing solar adoption continue to expand across the
education sector.
This solar installation not only provides cost savings and emission reductions but also
demonstrates how educational institutions can utilise renewable energy. The college
community will be able to see the benefits of renewable energy in action.
Find the right grant
Education Australia’s research team regularly updates its funding section to help you identify eligible grants. Origin Zero can assess your energy needs and develop a tailored solar proposal to support your grant application.
How it works
Review and quote: we review your site’s annual consumption and roof size to tailor a solar
solution to your business needs.
Sign: you review our quote and accept it.
Install: our solar experts will inspect your site, submit any documentation needed, then install and activate your solar system.
Operations and maintenance: we can help you maintain your solar system to maximise your investment and improve energy yields.
Insights and support: depending on the system type and size, your business can access our dedicated support team and monitor your system through the solar monitoring feature on your EnergyZone, an online platform for business customers to see all energy usage data in one place.
Start your solar journey with Origin Zero
Ready to reduce electricity costs, lower emissions, and improve energy management
with Origin Zero’s solar solutions? Reach out to our team of solar experts today to discuss how solar can benefit your education institution.
Visit originenergy.com.au/enterprise or call 13 23 34 to connect with one of Origin Zero’s specialists.
13 23 34
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