The future looks bright at Paarl School with new solar project

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA, 17 OCTOBER 2024 -- Sun Exchange (www.sunexchange.com), an industry-leading solar power and energy storage solutions developer, today announced the energisation of 101 kW solar project to power Paarl School (https://www.paarlskool.org.za), a renowned school and resource center in Brackenfell serving learners with special needs across the Western Cape. The solar project was primarily funded by German non-profit, Capetopia (www.capetopia.org).

Founded in 1978, Paarl School provides a nurturing and holistic educational environment, helping learners reach their full potential. Alongside teaching staff, the school has a multidisciplinary team including therapists, psychologists, nursing staff and a social worker, offering assessments and interventions for learners with cerebral palsy, physical and specific learning disabilities. Beyond serving its own learners with high intensity support needs, the school serves as a resource center for mainstream schools and other organisations in the community.

Paarl School’s new solar project will provide affordable, clean energy for the school’s approximately 500 staff and learners, covering nearly half of the school’s energy needs for the next 20 years. Via a Sun Exchange Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and with the R782,000 donation from Capetopia, Paarl School will pay a per kilowatt-hour rate for solar power that’s nearly 75% lower than the utility rate in the first year alone, with savings expected to grow as utility tariffs continue to rise. Additionally, any excess energy from the solar project that the school does not use, will be exported back to the grid. The energy cost savings realised from the solar project will enable Paarl School to reinvest those funds and resources into creating more learning opportunities for all learners, regardless of socioeconomic status. 

The solar project also enables the school to mitigate its climate impact. The project is expected to generate more than 2,700 MWh of clean energy over the 20 year lease period, avoiding approximately 2,800 tonnes of carbon emissions. That’s equivalent to eliminating more than 1,400 tonnes of burning coal. 

“Paarl School serves as a resource center and model for our surrounding community. With our new solar project, we’re proud to now also showcase how a school can take steps to create a brighter and more sustainable world for future generations,” said Garth Hewitt, Chair of Paarl School’s Governing Body. “We are grateful to Capetopia for their generous donation and pleased to have Sun Exchange as an enabling partner to make the solar project possible.”

“Capetopia envisions a future where sustainability, social equality and security are accessible to everyone in Cape Town,” said Jessica Bönn, Founder & Director, Capetopia e.V. “The Paarl School solar project benefits the school, its learners, the community and the planet, bringing us one step closer to making our vision a reality. We are proud to contribute to making this project possible and look forward to more projects in the future.”

With Sun Exchange’s Risk-Free Solar offering, mid-size organizations across South Africa can enjoy the full benefits of solar power without the associated risks or hassles. Through a fully-funded Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), solar systems are deployed with no capital investment required from the end user. Each system is expertly designed to meet the organisation's unique energy needs and is fully managed, maintained and insured to the highest standards throughout its lifespan. Organisations simply pay a monthly energy bill, which is typically lower than utility rates from day one, with savings growing over time as utility tariffs increase.

“At Sun Exchange, we aim to make the transition to solar seamless and rewarding for our customers. Institutions like Paarl School should be able to focus time and resources on their core mission of serving learners and the broader community, rather than worrying about energy costs, security and project logistics,” said Saul Wainwright, CEO, Sun Exchange. “We commend Paarl School for serving as a shining example of how solar energy can drive positive change and Capetopia for playing a pivotal role in making it happen.”

About Sun Exchange

Founded in 2015, Sun Exchange has enabled simple, affordable and reliable clean energy for more than 100 organisations across South Africa. Its solar projects have generated more than 30 gigawatt-hours of energy, saving millions of Rands in energy costs and avoiding more than 30,000 tonnes of carbon emissions from going into the atmosphere. 

We are so proud! 🥳