PostSource: New Zealand GovernmentFive hundred schools have been selected for solar technology under the Government’s plan to improve schools’ energy affordability and resilience, Energy Minister Simeon Brown and Education Minister Erica Stanford say. The Ministers announced the list of schools today at Te Papapa School in Auckland, the first to have solar panels installed as part of the pilot for the Government’s $30 million Solar on schools programme, announced as part of Budget 2026. Under the programme, and following on-site assessments for suitability, solar panels will be installed at the 500 schools over three years. An Expression of Interest is now live on the Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS) seeking solar system planners, designers and installers to deliver the programme nationwide. Note to editors:A full list of the 500 schools eligible for the programme is attached and now available on the Education website: Solar panels at school – Ministry of Education .