Solar Schools

From the department of uncommon-sense:

Federal Labor has pledged to install solar panels in every primary and high school across Australia.

Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd says schools would be able to apply for $20,000 grants to install solar power, under the $489 million commitment.

He says the move would help to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions.

"Then we'd be reducing by the equivalent of 2.8 tonnes, of CO2 equivalent for the year in question," he said.

"That's an important contribution to the community, and an important contribution to the planet."

John Conner from the Climate Institute has welcomed Labor's solar schools announcement and the Coalition's renewable energy fund.

But he says both parties will need to commit significantly more money before they will seriously address the problem of climate change.

"I'm hoping that this is an opening salvo and a whole range of other initiatives, so we look forward to those there," he said.

"In its own right it's an important step, and I guess what we'll need to do is just continue to assess the other policies."

It would interesting if Kevin Rudd follows through with this promise. $489 million is actually a lot of money and there are a lot of roofs out there that can be covered with solar panels.

It's a good move and a step in the right direction - but only a step.