A total of 268 schools in Taichung City have leased or equipped with solar photovoltaic energy systems by the end of June this year. More than 80% of the schools have been generating electricity on the roof and the added energy capacity was about 75 megawatts, ranking second in the country! The Education Bureau pointed out that the schools every year can generate probably a 95million kWh of electricity, achieving the goal of "green campus and carbon reduction for better air quality" by reducing 48,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, which is equivalent to planting four million trees and the carbon sequestration of 333 Taichung central parks.
Chen-Sheng Yang, director of the Education Bureau, pointed out that Mayor Shiow-Yen Lu actively promoted the "tripling solar panels program" after taking office to strengthen Taichung’s climate mitigation, carbon reduction, and power generation. She directed the setup of public facilities, provided subsidies to the private sector, regulated large power users, and implemented the "Green Energy on Every Roof" program. The Education Bureau has also actively promoted renewable energy generation on campus. Currently, more than 80% of schools have organized installation of solar photovoltaic energy systems on the roof of school buildings through lease or tender. Schools with carbon reduction and power generation programs are also eligible for feedback fund for future development.
Director Yang said they had spread the seeds of climate mitigation, energy saving, and income generation on Taichung's campuses. The total installed capacity of solar photovoltaics is around 75 megawatts, ranking second in the country, and it can generate about 95 million kWh of electricity every year. 10% of the income from the electricity sold to the Taiwan Power Company are distributed back to the schools, with an average annual return for schools of about NTD 38 million.
Director Yang stressed that besides the income of electricity generation on campus, climate mitigation and energy saving are more important. Solar power generation can reduce the carbon dioxide from coal-based power generation. Generating electricity on campuses in Taichung City can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 48,000 tons. If planting one tree can reduce the carbon dioxide level by 12 kilograms per year, this is equivalent to planting four million trees. Taichung City Central Park has 12,000 trees, and the carbon sequestration of four million trees is 333 Central Parks. Having solar panels on school buildings achieve carbon reduction, power generation, and better air quality in one stroke.
In addition, the Education Bureau has also actively promoted the construction of solar-powered basketball courts. The manufacturer invests in covering the existing outdoor basketball court with solar panels to provide outdoor activity places for students that are sheltered from the sun in summer and rain on a wet days to achieve a triple-win situation of the green energy for manufacturers, schools, and the environment. Currently, there are 31 schools in Taichung City with this program, including Feng Tien elementary school, and a total capacity of about 9.5 megawatts. Feng Tien elementary school in Fengyuan District and other eight schools have completed parallel power generation. The Bureau expects the installation to complete for the other 23 schools by the end of 2023.
Director Yang further pointed out that newly-built or rebuilt and reinforced school buildings in Taichung have reserved over one-third of the area on the roof of buildings for green energy facilities or equipment, leaving room for installation of solar panels in the future. The government, manufacturers, school teachers, and students are working together to reduce carbon level and love the earth.