• Nedbank is offering up R1 million in solar power systems, bursaries and cash prizes in its Solar Schools Challenge.
• Students can enter by taking a course in solar power and conducting an energy assessment of their school.
• Schools can win solar power systems and students can win bursaries.

While South Africa enjoys bottomless power thanks to loadshedding’s continued suspension, many are using the time to prepare for the inevitable return of power cuts. With that in mind, Nedbank is putting R1 million into both upskilling youth and giving schools resiliency against power cuts.

Through it’s MoveUp initiative, Nedbank invites schools and learners to complete courses about alternative energy solutions. The Solar Energy Unveiled Course introduces how sunlight is turned into energy. Participants can also take an Energy Assessment to determine where a school could reduce energy consumption.

Those who participate could win a solar power solution for their school to the value of R250 000. Nedbank is also offering up five bursaries for students to pursue studies in the solar industry to the value of R25 000. There are also 50 prizes of R1 000 cash for the top participants.

“Nedbank is known as the leader in green banking but also recognises the need to help address the unemployment crisis in South Africa. The Nedbank Solar Campaign allows youth from all over the country to take the first step to a brighter future within the solar industry,” explains executive head of Strategy and New Business Development in Consumer Banking at Nedbank, Bridget Nkandu.

The solar courses and energy assessment can be found here. Current and former students can participate in this challenge and the assessment tool is rather nifty for everybody.

Nedbank built this assessment with Dr Jason Samuels, an electrical engineer from Stellenbosch University and founder of GreenX. With this tool, customers can assess their home, school or business. This allows folks to get a better idea of what they need to build out a solar power solution.

Loadshedding is bound to return with Eskom hoping to keep it to Stage 2 but also planning for up to Stage 5 power cuts. Eskom reported last week that its energy availability factor sat at 61 percent, a 10 percentage point increase compared to a year ago. This coupled with fewer trips, improved maintenance and fewer losses of capacity should make for a more well-lit Winter.

For more information on Nedbank’s Solar School Challenge visit the website linked above or start a WhatsApp chat with Nedbank’s bot on 060 083 1005. Schools can also email solar[at]moveup[dot]mobi for more information.

[Image – Supplied]