Project Solar is an umbrella project developed by Ōtaki College in partnership with Energise Ōtaki and clean technology businesses. It has three parts:
• installation of a photovoltaic (PV) array to provide energy to the college (2014/15).
• a teaching programme with Year 9 students focusing on identifying energy use (electricity) and developing an energy conservation programme for the college. This will be done in conjunction with the PV installation project (2014)
• students working with clean technology businesses at the Clean Technology Centre to explore: PV experimentation project (tracking and thermal) (2015);
WWF- New Zealand has awarded $6,700 for the energy conservation science programme at Ōtaki College. The programme will proceed alongside the photovoltaic installation project.
Update 2019:
• In 2015, Stage One of the solar array has been installed at Ōtaki College (10.4kW). The system is owned by the XŌtaki College Foundation Trust. Between 2015 and 2018, the system has provided $11,000 in revenue for scholarships.
• In 2018, Stage Two of the solar array (10.4kW) has been donated by the Philip Family Foundation to the XŌtaki Alumni Trust. This is now in use.