***IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT***

Important notification was provided to all schools informing them that the National Solar Schools program (NSSP), has been temporarily suspended until July 2010.

In your case the news is positive, as your claim was submitted before the cut-off point (3:00pm Thursday 15 October 2009) and it is our understanding that processing will still occur this financial year. This means that your school should receive funding in late 2009/early 2010.

 Government Funding Initiative

The Australian Federal Government provides grants of up to $50,000(GST exclusive) to every Australian school to install solar and other renewable power systems, solar hot water systems, rainwater tanks and/or a range of other energy efficiency measures. The program operates from July 2008 until 30 June 2015. For further information about this program please refer to the website at www.environment.gov.au.

Victorian Resource Smart Solar in Schools initiative rebate provides additional funding towards solar.  Schools are eligible for rebates for minimum 2kW PV systems up to a maximum of 5kW systems to encourage Victorian schools to maximise their impact on climate change.  For further information about this program please refer to the website at www.resourcesmart.vic.gov.au.

How to register for the NSSP grant

To register you need to complete the online registration request on the NSSP website.  Registrations are to be made only by employees of the school.  Once you have completed this, you will receive an email to acknowledge your registration request.  We will be provided with a Project ID which you must keep safe as you will need to quote it if you contact the NSSP for any reason.

Education institutions that are not eligible for a grant are kindergartens, early childhood centres, preschools, TAFE colleges and universities.

Eligibility and Funding

Schools installing a minimum of 2kW new solar power system, or a minimum of 2kW extension to an existing system, will be eligible for a grant of up to $50,000 (GST exclusive).

If no solar power system or a system of less than 2kW is installed, a grant of up to $30,000 (GST exclusive) is available to be spent on eligible items.

A multi-campus school that has a combined campus population of 1,000 or more full time enrolled students is eligible for an additional NSSP grant.  Combined primary and secondary schools are deemed to have multiple campuses even if they are co-located.  The level of funding is determined by the installation of a 2kW solar power system.

• A multi-campus with more than 1,000 students or more may choose the following:
• Two solar power systems of at least 2kW each, it is eligible for up to $100,000 (GST exclusive)
• One solar power system of at least 2kW, it is eligible for up to $80,000 (GST exclusive)
• No solar power system or a system of less than 2kW, it is eligible for up to $60,000 (GST exclusive)

Green Voucher

For schools that have claimed a grant under the Green Vouchers for Schools guidelines, a NSSP grant is up to $50,000 (GST exclusive) less the amount of Green Vouchers funding received.  The remaining NSSP grant can be spent on any eligible items.

Plan your project

When you have registered and received confirmation that your schools is eligible for a NSSP grant and you know the maximum amount of funding for your school, you can begin planning your project.

Lodging your claim form

The grant is a one off payment and claims are to be made only by employees of the school.  To access the claim form you need to go to the NSSP website and down load this form from the “lodging your claim” area. 

When completing your claim form you must show the GST inclusive amount and the amount of GST  separately.

Project Completion

You are required to send in an installation report providing photographs of your completed project.  You must account for your grant expenditure and keep proper accounting records for all project expenditure.

Nu Energy will assist and support you with filling in your forms

NEEC – curriculum (CURRENT BROCHURE HAS MOST OF THE INFORMATION NEEDED)