Genesis Energy brings solar power to Manawatu/Wanganui

Schoolgen, a programme that has been designed by Genesis Energy to bring the concepts of solar energy, sustainability and climate change to life for children, was launched into the Manawatu and Wanganui regions at Hokowhitu School last month.

Through Schoolgen, nine schools in the Manawatu/Wanganui region will each have a 2-kilowatt (kW) photovoltaic system (solar panels) installed on the roof of one of their buildings.

The solar panels will generate a portion of the electricity used by the school and provide a working example of how solar energy works.

“Students will be able to see the amount of electricity being generated by the solar panels on their school in real time on the Schoolgen website www.schoolgen.co.nz,” said Genesis Energy chief executive, Albert Brantley, who will be among those at the launch.

“This data, and other free Schoolgen teaching resources, is available to all teachers and students around NZ.”

Principals and four students from the eight other schools also attended the launch.
Schoolgen is supported by the Ministry for the Environment’s Sustainable Management Fund.

Manawatu Schools to receive solar panels: Hokowhitu School, Palmerston North; Newbury School, Rangitikei; Wanganui Intermediate; Kimbolton School; St Johns Hill School, Wanganui; Aokautere School; Awahou School; Mount Biggs School; St Anthony’s Primary School, Pahiatua.

Note: This will bring the total number of Schoolgen schools in NZ to 42.