Schools to champion green technology

MIRI: The association of Independent Power Producers of Malaysia (Penjanabebas) launched the first of its Green Schools Campaign at SMK Lutong.

The campaign is aimed at creating awareness for green and sustainable technologies amongst schools through the installation of grid-connected building integrated photovaltaic (BIPV) systems at schools.

The campaign is sponsored by Penjanabebas and the Malaysian Building Integrated Photovoltaic Project (MBIPV). The campaign will raise the national photovoltaic generating capacity from government schools to 30kWp from 4.4 kWp.

Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam officiated the launch. He thanked the sponsors and expressed a hope for more schools to be equipped with the facility.

"There is also the added benefit of Malaysians turning to renewable energy to supplement our depleting conventional energy sources," he said.

Also present at the launch was Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui.

"I believe the biggest challenge to making Malaysia a green technology hub is not only the hardware or green technology infrastructure that we need to put in place, but in changing our mindset, particularly those of our children, to embracing green initiatives in our daily lives," said Chin.

The 5kWp grid-connected photovoltaic system installed at SMK Lutong cost about RM100,000 and has a 20 year life expectancy. The installation of these BIPV systems will help schools save costs from the electricity generated from the systems and the potential electricity sold back to the utlities.

"It is my hope that the Green Schools Campaign by Penjanabebas and MBIPV will serve as a catalyst, for other corporate sector players as well, to come in and make more Malaysian schools green — paving the way for our children to fully embrace green technologies," Chin said.

The other schools selected for this campaign are SMK St John of Kuala Lumpur; SMK Bukit Baru of Melaka; SMJK San Min of Teluk Intan; and SJK (T) Sungai Renggam of Shah Alam.