Solar panels help to cut energy costs at Bendemeer preschool

Crown Lands, part of the New South Wales Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, recently funded Bendemeer Preschool through a grant to install new solar panels with the intention of creating not only savings for the service, but also boosting energy efficiency. 

The $28,664 Crown Reserves Improvement Fund (CRIF) grant will allow the community based not-for-profit preschool, which is located on Crown land in the New England region, to purchase and install solar panels, along with a new back fence. 

Solar power has reduced the centre’s costs by one third, saving the business thousands of dollars per year which is being redirected into new projects and resources, including toys.

The centre is licensed for 20 children aged between 2.5 and 5 years of age and is the only early learning facility in the town of 486 people.

Lower energy costs means the preschool has more funds for ongoing maintenance work, and reduces the need for families to help fund improvements at the centre.

Work has also begun on a children’s bike track at the centre following the approval of a landowner’s consent application by Crown Lands, with concrete currently being laid.

The preschool community consistently strives to be environmentally sustainable, with projects including raised garden beds, installation of water tanks, and a chicken pen where children have learned about composting and responsible pet ownership.

“The new solar panels have been enormously helpful to our centre,” Bendemeer Childcare Director Renee McNee said. 

“Not only (do they) improve our environmental footprint and savings but it’s an educational learning tool for our children as well. We are able to show them the panels and explain how they create electricity using the sun.”

“We didn’t have the money to buy and install the solar panels ourselves, so we are really grateful to Crown Lands for helping us out. The energy savings have been a huge benefit already, with savings redirected back into the business, helping us give these wonderful kids a great start in life.”

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said that with rising cost of living pressures “everyone is feeling the financial pinch, including childcare operators, so the new solar panels slicing a third off the energy costs will benefit preschool staff and the kids of Bendemeer.”