Special needs school goes solar

The Schoolhouse for Special Needs, a private education institution based at Britton’s Hill, has gone solar.

A key objective is to eliminate the school’s monthly electricity bill. But District Governor of Rotary Sonya Alleyne has also underscored the role the project will play in reducing the island’s fossil fuel carbon footprint.

“The project will definitely not only form a perspective of the schoolhouse but it helps our own environment here in Barbados as we move towards a carbon footprint-free 2030,” the District Governor added at the recent launch of the project.

Support for the schoolhouse is an ongoing initiative of the Rotary Club of Barbados.

The official hand-over of the five-kilowatt photovoltaic system which cost $18 000 was made recently by Solar Watt Systems Inc. which has donated the system as a gift to the school along with the installation cost.

President of Rotary Club of Barbados Robin Ford said: “This 5 KVA system will not only provide clean energy to the school but by so doing, reduce the amount of fossil fuel required to be imported into the island and hence reduce our need for foreign exchange spend by our country.”

Ford said Rotarians understand the world is their backyard, “by addressing the cause of climate change, by reducing the emission of greenhouse gases”.

The Schoolhouse for Special Needs has 22 students. It was founded in January 2006 by principal Yasmin Vlahakis.

“The gift comes at a time when we are looking towards a green environment. It would be an ideal time to share with our students in terms of benefits and use of alternative energy,” the principal said.

“It would be important in their science lessons,” Vlahakis added.

District Governor Alleyne said: “The savings that this schoolhouse will garner will be tremendous, and over its life, not this year but in the years to come.”

Sales and Marketing Representative for Solar Watt Systems Inc Anthony Niles said the school could expect to benefit from a reduced electricity bill in February.

Rotary Club of Barbados president Ford added: “We empower communities to access grants and other resources, embrace local solutions and spur innovation in an effort to address the causes and reduce the effects of climate change and environmental degradation.”

The children with special needs receive academic education and skills-training, Vlahakis said. (HH)