Solar panels coming to 500 schools in $30 million government initiative

Wednesday, 3 June 2026

Education Minister Erica Stanford said the long-term savings would ease budget pressures on schools, keeping the focus on students while providing a hands-on look at renewable technology (file photo)

The $30 million programme is funded by $20 million from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and $10 million from the Ministry of Education.

Up to 500 schools nationwide will receive rooftop solar panels by 2028, with no financial contribution required from the participating schools.

A standard 30kW solar system is estimated to pay for itself within five to seven years and save an individual school up to $8,000 a year on electricity.

Officials will contact the first 100 prioritised schools through June and July, with the initial installations scheduled to begin over the upcoming summer holidays.

Hundreds of schools across New Zealand are set to be outfitted with solar panels and batteries, transforming classrooms into independent clean-power hubs that can stay switched on during major civil defence emergencies.

A $30 million budget initiative will target up to 500 schools by 2028, completely covering the cost of installation so schools pay nothing to join.

Energy Minister Simeon Brown said the rollout marks a major shift toward energy affordability, with standard systems estimated to pay for themselves within five to seven years.

Some of the first schools to benefit will be those with gas or diesel boilers that are scheduled for replacement.

Early modelling shows a standard 30kW school solar setup could wipe up to $8,000 a year off an individual school's electricity bills, while the combined solar network is expected to generate up to 10.1GWh of energy annually — enough to power 1,500 homes.

Schools will have the option to sell excess electricity back to the grid.

Education Minister Erica Stanford said the long-term savings would ease budget pressures on schools, keeping the focus on students while providing a hands-on look at renewable technology.

'This will help schools continue to achieve great outcomes for students while reducing energy costs, helping the environment and educating school students about renewable resources and the science behind solar,' she said.

The upgrade will also act as a community safety net. Selected schools fitted with solar and battery storage will act as neighborhood lifelines during severe weather events or natural disasters, providing a reliable source of electricity to run emergency heating, lighting, and essential services when local grids fail.

The Ministry of Education and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) are jointly funding the scheme, combining $10 million from the ministry with $20 million from EECA’s Community Renewable Energy Fund.

Officials from both agencies will work to identify suitable schools for investment, taking into account things like existing energy insecurity, high energy costs and suitable roofs.

The Ministry of Education will contact the first 100 schools through June and July, with the first wave of installations scheduled for the upcoming summer holidays.