WOODRIDGE COLLEGE & PREPARATORY SCHOOL INVESTS IN GENERGY’S SCHOOL SOLAR SOLUTION TO REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
In partnership with Genergy, Woodridge College & Preparatory School has invested in a solar PV system which will see the school reduce its CO2 emissions by roughly 597 tons per annum.
Part of the Genergy projects: the Woodridge installation is designed, installed and maintained by solar specialists Genergy.
It includes several classrooms, the dining hall and two school halls, two residences, the library, the administrative building, and the sanatorium. Featuring 1,121 PV panels that upon completion in June will aim to generate up to 579.26 MWh and reduce its CO2 emissions by roughly 597 tons per annum.
“Our brief was to create a system that reduced the amount of electricity the school pulls from the grid and thereby reduce its reliance on fossil-fuel-generated power,” remarks Genergy Head of Engineering, Michael Stevens. “The solar PV system for Woodridge will have a capacity of 369.93kWp/337kVA, enough to power around 163 average South African households.”
Apart from enhancing the energy security of the school and its long-term sustainability goals, the Genergy Woodridge system could, over its 20-year lifespan save 10,935 metric tons of carbon emissions, 15,394 kilolitres of water and aid in the planting of 29,727 trees.
Part of the school’s Eco Smart initiative under the direction of Woodridge alumnus Ray Holmes, it is set to become a leading eco-school in South Africa and a leading globally registered eco-school. Such a goal includes having the lowest carbon footprint per child. Rolled-out in phases, with solar part of the energy generation and efficiency element of the programme, other phases include water security and recycling.
“It is an honour for Woodridge College & Preparatory School to be amongst a handful of schools in South Africa which are at the forefront of renewable energy in education,” remarks Derek Bradley, Headmaster of Woodridge College. “We believe that it is vital to teach responsible energy practices to the next generation of our country’s leaders, and in doing so foster environmental stewardship practically and tangibly. Our approach allows us to lead by example and assist the country in alleviating the strain on the municipal grid.”
Project funding
Many traditional banks are creating bespoke solutions to fund renewable energy projects. With Standard Bank being one of them, and the funder for the Woodridge solar installation. “We should start to get a payback from year two,” remarks Ray Holmes. “Building into the equation the expected price increase of electricity, we should be able to get a saving equivalent of the outlay over seven years.”
Woodridge environmental ethos
Due to its unique location on the edge of the Van Stadens River gorge, Woodridge has always nurtured strong ties to the outdoors. It is an essential part of the school’s ethos and is entrenched in how it educates pupils.
With an estimated 30% reduction in energy consumption costs, the aim is for savings to be funnelled into projects to enhance the school and develop its offering.
Woodridge has used the impact of the 2017 fires as an opportunity to modernise, rebuild and restore buildings with energy efficiency in mind, and care for the countryside around the school as it recovers from the fires. The school is using the tragedy as a positive learning experience to understand is surroundings, protect the beauty that surrounds the grounds and lessen its impact in the broader environment.
