Smart Energy For Switched-On Students Giveaway

24th Aug 2021

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Have you heard about the 'Smart Energy for Switched-On Students' giveaway?

Real-time and historical energy data is a great resource for school education, engaging students in understanding and responding to real-world challenges using their own school's situation.

Energy data maps to Information Technology (IT) and the Internet of Things (IoT), Mathematics, Science, Environment, Climate Change, Economics, Sustainability and more.

Now, one lucky Australian school will be awarded a very special energy and education package to engage students in data-driven solutions for saving electricity, reducing power bills and cutting carbon pollution.

With a total prize value of over $7,000, the 'Smart Energy for Switched-On Students' giveaway is open to primary and secondary schools (K-12) Australia-wide. Entries close on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, and the successful entrant will be announced on Thursday, September 9.

Who's behind this opportunity?

The prize has been created by smart energy technology companies Wattwatchers and Solar Schools, partners in the My Energy Marketplace (MEM) project, which is supported by grant funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

The three-year MEM project, which began in 2019, is installing subsidised smart energy management solutions at 5,000 homes and small businesses, plus 250 schools (recruitment is open to schools entering this giveaway – see details of subsidies below).

How do schools eter?

There are two simple steps to enter:

Check eligibility – this opportunity is open to all Australian schools (K-12) with the exception of any that already have Wattwatchers and Solar Schools installed through the MEM or other programs. Schools can enter whether or not they already have rooftop solar installed, including those that are planning to add solar and those with other electricity management issues they want to prioritise such as targeting energy waste or cutting emissions.

Apply online – access the entry form and see the T&Cs* here. You will need to provide your school's name and location, a relevant school representative's name and contact details (email and mobile number), and a brief written submission (maximum 100 words) summarising why the school wants to be awarded the prize. *You will need to accept the T&Cs for this promotion when entering.

What's in the prize?

The school selected to receive the giveaway package will be:

Installed with up to 2 Wattwatchers smart energy devices to monitor its electricity use from a main grid connection, plus generation from a solar system (if PV is installed) or major electrical loads such as air-conditioning
Provided with a three-year subscription to the premium 'Energy Hero' software package from Solar Schools, including a teacher-led learning app called 'Planet Watch', training for teaching staff, and materials for integrating real-time and historical energy data into ready-to-use, curriculum-aligned unit and lesson plans (for years K-12).

$2,000 subsidies also available

Entrants that don't receive the major prize are still eligible to receive over $2,000 each worth of subsidies from ARENA to install the Wattwatchers-Solar Schools combined solution for a minimum three years.

In this case, however, co-contributions need to be paid by the school or on its behalf: either $1,097 +GST for an 'Energy Starter' pack, or $4995 +GST for the 'Energy Hero' premium level (see more details of the subsidised offers here).

*The prize, valued at over $7,000 in total, consists of hardware (up to 2 energy monitoring devices and accessories), installation by an electrician, and the Solar Schools 'Energy Hero' software including data ownership (agreement to share is part of the T&Cs), school energy profile, customised display board readiness, curriculum-aligned teaching resource suite, Planet Watch educational app, web widgets, teacher refresher training, API endpoint for direct data access.