Solar sparks kinder savings

THE Meeniyan Preschool installed a 4.7 kilowatt solar power system on its roof recently, which was officially acknowledged with a ribbon cutting ceremony last Tuesday, September 13.

The preschool’s committee of management grants officer Katrina Benson said the solar panels were expected to save the kinder at least $1200 per year.

Ms Benson said the preschool was small and run by a volunteer committee of management.

“We don’t have a lot of funds. The solar panels were a good way to reduce our operating costs and allow us to supply more interactive and educational material for the children,” she said.

“Going solar will also reduce our carbon footprint and teaching the children about the environment was an added bonus.”

Ms Benson said the panels were already producing power and returning excess green energy to the grid.

The panels were partially funded with a $4500 grant from the South Gippsland Shire Council community grants program, and by the preschool’s fundraising efforts.

“We had a lot of help from Trulli Pizza, who donated $500 to the project and the Meeniyan Area Community Shop were also a big contributor,” Ms Benson said.

Cr Andrew McEwen helped with the ribbon cutting ceremony and said kindergarten was an important part of the education system.

“What children learn at kindergarten sets them up for a lifetime of learning,” he said.

It’s official: back, from left, Lorraine Gregg from the Meeniyan Area Community Shop, Katrina Benson from the Meeniyan Preschool committee of management and South Gippsland Shire Council Cr Andrew McEwen assisted at a ribbon cutting ceremony last Tuesday, September 13 to celebrate the installation of solar panels at the Meeniyan Preschool.

Short URL: /?p=19660

Posted by Tayla Kershaw on Sep 20 2016. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry