Media liaison for Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development, Ramona Baijnath said there are three solar powered schools in Gauteng.
These are Soshanguve Primary, Northriding Secondary and Noordwyk Secondary School.
What is special about these schools is that they not only use electricity but they rely on solar energy as well.
This means that even when electricity is gone, school staff will still print, light and do other things.
Baijnath said depending on geographical positioning all new schools will incorporate a wide variety of green considerations including solar farms, roof insulation, laminated glazing, energy saving lighting, motion sensitive lighting, solar water heating, rainwater harvesting and planting of trees and lawn.
All schools are designed to maximise natural lighting.
The sporting facilities and lawns will be maintained using storm and recycled water.
The department has over the last 18 months pioneered green schools.
“Prior to this initiative no government schools in Gauteng were constructed taking into consideration green elements, with the solar farms being a first for Gauteng,” said Baijnath.
Baijnath said all new schools in Gauteng are built on a standard design.
