Intel Ireland & SSE Aitricity light up Leixlip schools with Solar for Schools Project
There is a growing concern that Ireland needs to reduce its carbon emissions significantly and transition towards renewable energy sources. One initiative to tackle this issue has been undertaken by Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) member companies Intel Ireland and SSE Airtricity, who have developed an innovative project called Solar for Schools in collaboration with five local schools in the Leixlip area and supported by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The five schools are: Scoil Bhride, Scoil Mhuire, Scoil San Carlo Junior, Scoil San Carlo Senior and Gaelscoil Ui Dhalaigh, all located in Leixlip.
As part of the Solar for Schools project, each school has received eight solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and one rechargeable lithium-ion battery free of charge to generate and store their own energy. The project helps the schools to reduce the amount of energy which they use from the grid and at the same time educates the students about the importance and benefits of renewable energy. The energy generated from the solar panels is enough to offset 50 tonnes of C02 emissions annually. The energy performance of the panels and the amount C02 emissions saved can be viewed on the schools’ website.
Solar for Schools was officially launched by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten TD in Scoil San Carlo Junior in Leixlip, County Kildare on Thursday November 30th. At the launch, the Minister spoke to the students about the important role which they will play in preparing for Ireland’s climate change related challenges and presentation were made by the students about their experience of the project so far.
Pictured above at the event Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten, Sarah Sexton Communications Manager at Intel Ireland and Roy Baker Director of Director of Transformation, SSE Airtricity.
