Woodridge College & Preparatory School, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
In order to reduce their impact on the environment, Woodridge College & Preparatory School in Port Elizabeth has invested in a Genergy solar solution with just over 1100 panels installed on the campus recently.
This system will see the school reduce its CO2 emissions by roughly 597 tons per annum.
Due to its unique location on the edge of the Van Stadens River gorge, Woodridge has always nurtured strong ties to the outdoors. It is an essential part of the school’s ethos and is entrenched in how it educates pupils.
With an estimated 30% reduction in energy consumption costs, the aim to utilise savings, once the project is paid off, to enhance the school and develop its offering even further.
Woodridge has used the impact of the 2017 fires as an opportunity to modernise, rebuild and restore buildings with energy efficiency in mind, and care for the countryside around the school as it recovers from the fires.
The school is using the tragedy as a positive learning experience to understand is surroundings, protect the beauty that surrounds the grounds and lessen its impact in the broader environment.
Woodridge aims to help reduce CO2 emissions with solar panels
Several classrooms, as well as the dining hall and two school halls, two residences, the library, the administrative building, and the sanatorium have been fitted with the panels.
“Our brief was to create a system that reduced the amount of electricity the school pulls from the grid and thereby reduce its reliance on fossil-fuel-generated power,” remarks Genergy Head of Engineering, Michael Stevens.
This move is part of the school’s Eco Smart initiative, which is under the direction of Woodridge alum Ray Holmes. They hope to become a leading eco-school in South Africa and a leading globally registered eco-school.
The initiative is comprised of different phases, starting with solar energy and eventually moving towards water security and recycling.
“It is an honour for Woodridge College & Preparatory School to be amongst a handful of schools in South Africa, which are at the forefront of renewable energy in education,” remarks Derek Bradley, Headmaster of Woodridge College.
“We believe that it is vital to teach responsible energy practices to the next generation of our country’s leaders, and in doing so foster environmental stewardship practically and tangibly.
“Our approach allows us to lead by example and assist the country in alleviating the strain on the municipal grid.”
For more information about Woodridge, please visit www.woodridge.co.za.
For great savings on life’s little pleasures visit Bargain Buys! Enjoy food and travel, then visit Home Food and Travel. Know somebody who is getting married, Wedding and Function can assist. Need assistance with an online presence, visit Agency One.
Enjoy reading this article? For more articles like this click here
Looking for factual news? Click here for Eastern Cape and Here for Western Cape news
