Kate Stapleton, The Nimbin GoodTimes

Rainbow Power Company (RPC) has been working collaboratively with two local schools this year to help keep schools powering on.

The Rainbow Ridge Steiner School and Tuntable Falls Primary School received funding in 2024 from the Australian Government’s Capital Grants Program, which provides funding to assist schools in installing solar panels and battery storage to manage energy costs.

Both schools are located in the Northern Rivers where we know that power outages are common – especially in the summer months.

Now that both schools have batteries and solar, it means they can continue to operate when the power goes out.

Rainbow Ridge Steiner School

Located near Lillian Rock, Rainbow Ridge School for Steiner Education has been a beacon of sustainable living since its establishment in 1996.

Operating off-grid from its inception, the school has continually embraced innovative energy solutions to support its educational mission.

Thanks to a grant provided by the AISNSW, Rainbow Ridge School has recently upgraded its energy infrastructure with a state-of-the-art solar power system designed by RPC, who couldn’t be prouder to partner with them on this project. The double rainbow link is unmissable.

Custom designed to suit their specific upgrade needs, the system now includes:

1. Powerful solar array: 160 Trina Solar panels, each with a capacity of 440W, efficiently harnessing solar energy.
2. High performing inverters: Two SMA inverters – models STP25 and STP50 – convert the generated DC power into AC power suitable for the school’s operations.
3. Battery storage: The heart of the system features six 8.0H Sunny Island battery inverters connected via an MC Box 6, paired with 20 ZYC 5.1 kW Simpo Lithium batteries.

This configuration ensures a reliable power supply, even during periods of low sunlight.

Tuntable Falls Community School

Tuntable Falls Community School has long been committed to environmental sustainability.

In line with this commitment, the school has recently partnered up with RPC to upgrade its energy infrastructure by integrating a new solar power system with its existing setup including batteries.

After a site visit and consultation with the school, RPC designed a bespoke solar system upgrade to suit their specific needs. The upgraded system is designed to incorporate the original 8 kW solar installation, which included 10 kW of panels. The upgraded solar system comprises of:

1. Increased solar capacity and panels: 22 new panels, each with a capacity of 440W, have been added to boost solar energy generation.
2. Hybrid solar inverter: A Sungrow 20T hybrid solar inverter has been installed to efficiently convert and manage the combined energy output from both the original and new panels.
3. Battery storage: The system now includes seven Sungrow SBH HV LFP 5 kWh battery modules, ensuring a reliable power supply even during periods of low sunlight and power outages.

The implementation of both these solar power systems not only reduces both schools’ carbon footprints but also serves as a living educational tool for their students.

By integrating renewable energy into daily operations, the schools provide students with practical insights into sustainable practices, aligning with their vision of offering education in balance and harmony with the environment.

The recent solar power system upgrades, underscore both schools’ unwavering commitment to nurturing both its students and the planet.

This article appeared in The Nimbin GoodTimes, March 2024.