Government picks 500 schools to get solar panels

The government has chosen 500 schools to receive rooftop solar panels under a NZ$30 million programme funded in this year's Budget. Solar panels turn sunlight into electricity, cutting schools' power bills. Of the schools, 340 are in the North Island, 157 in the South Island and 3 in the Chathams. Work happens over three years. Large schools could save about NZ$8,000 a year. Schools were picked because they face high power costs or need new heating systems.