Rooftop solar panels in Tamil Nadu’s ‘Green Schools’ are making a difference. A recent study shows these installations cut grid electricity use by about 46% per school, saving nearly 3,572 units each year. The findings were shared by Finance and Environment Minister Thangam Thennarasu and School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi during the launch of climate initiatives aimed at 300 schools.
This “Green School” program started with just 25 schools and expanded to cover nearly all districts. Schools that participated saved roughly ₹26,000 in electricity costs annually. What’s even more impressive is that many of these schools also ran climate awareness campaigns for students.
If this model scales to all government schools, it could reduce up to 91% of the electricity consumed by these institutions and hospitals.
In conjunction with this study, Tamil Nadu launched new climate education efforts. They introduced a “Training of Teachers” program aimed at training 4,000 teachers, transforming them into climate ambassadors. The first group of 210 teachers will start training in Salem, aiming to help schools prepare students for future climate challenges.
Another significant initiative is the Cool Roof Project. Many schools experience extremely high indoor temperatures, affecting student comfort and learning. A pilot at the Punthalaivar Kamarajar Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Chennai demonstrated an average drop in temperatures of about 3°C in classrooms, creating a more conducive learning environment.
New cool roofs were also installed at several schools in Chennai. Recognitions were given to schools like Kamarajar and Kollumedu for their sustainability efforts.
These initiatives align with a growing movement for sustainable practices in education. According to a survey by the United Nations, schools that integrate climate education report higher student engagement and awareness.
The environment is a shared responsibility. Projects like these pave the way for a greener future, making learning not just about subjects but also about sustainability.
For further insights on climate initiatives, check out the United Nations Environment Programme for more information.
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Solar energy,grid power consumption,46%,government schools,Indian Institute for Human Settlements,Climate Education Initiative,Cool Roof Initiative,Thangam Thennarasu,Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi
