The Government has announced a number of initiatives to help combat climate change by taking a multi-pronged approach, which includes promoting the development of renewable energy (RE). The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) has launched “Solar Harvest – Solar Energy Support Scheme for Schools and Welfare Non-Governmental Organisations” with the aim of installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at eligible schools and welfare non-Governmental organisations (NGOs). The scheme opened for applications on 8 March and the closing date for the first batch of applications is 4 April.
Under the scheme, the EMSD will provide eligible non-Government and non-profit-making schools, as well as welfare NGOs which are receiving recurrent subventions from the Social Welfare Department (SWD), with a one-stop service including conducting site visits and technical assessments at their premises, design of the solar PV systems, procuring and installing the equipment, and system testing. The EMSD will also help the schools and welfare NGOs apply to join the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) Scheme. All expenses in relation to the solar PV system installation and application to join the FiT Scheme will be fully covered by Solar Harvest.
The Government also hopes that schools can make good use of the solar PV systems installed to enrich the teaching of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and environmental education, with a view to fueling the interest of students and young people in exploring science and promoting low-carbon living.
In addition to launching Solar Harvest, the Government will continue to install solar PV systems at suitable government schools. As regards for-profit schools, the FiT Scheme can help the schools recover the cost of installing solar PV systems and pay for the expenses on maintenance and repair.
Eligible schools and welfare NGOs which are receiving recurrent subventions from the SWD interested in joining Solar Harvest are invited to look at details on https://re.emsd.gov.hk/english/gen/4S/4S.html
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