Published

1 year ago

August 5, 2024

Alice Rush

As students across the Southeast prepare for another school year after an extremely hot summer away, we’re reminded that not all learning happens within the four walls of the classroom. For example, with the opening of her new solar installation and workforce center in Cleveland, Georgia, Olivia Amyette is equipping workers from diverse backgrounds with the skills they need to prosper in the flourishing solar industry. Meanwhile, 14 students in Georgetown, South Carolina recently spent three weeks learning how to install solar and EV infrastructure thanks to the nonprofit Solar United (and even got paid to do so).

But the truth remains that schools and universities—with their commitment to teaching and service, their leadership role within their communities, and their access to experts and resources—are uniquely suited to play a key role in the Clean Energy Generation. Across the U.S., nearly 100,000 public schools make up one the largest consumers of energy in the public sector. Additionally, nearly 480,000 school buses make up the largest mass transit fleet in the country. Fortunately, schools and colleges across the Southeast are stepping up to the clean energy plate.

From elementary schools making energy efficiency fun to high schools winning EV Grand Prix, we’ve picked a handful of our favorite new stories showcasing the clean energy progress happening within and outside of our classrooms, on our school buses, and even on our race courses (more on that below)!

Left photo of Clemson’s power plant courtesy of Clemson News; middle photo of South Side Elementary School Green Team member Campbell Latham courtesy of Amber Brophy/Six Rivers Media

Commission on Sustainability works tirelessly to create greener Clemson

The Clemson Tigers are trading orange for green, with the goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2030. Doing so will require the University to eliminate or offset almost 190,000 tons of annual carbon emissions in just one generation. The Tigers have already made strides toward its ambitious goal. Clemson reduced building energy intensity by 20% by 2020 and pledged to increase renewable energy sourcing by 10% by 2025. Read more.

South Side Elementary makes saving energy fun

Teaching the ABCs of green! Students and teachers at Tennessee’s South Side Elementary School learned to save energy for a chance to win $25,000 through TVA’s EnergyRight School Uplift program. As part of the competition, students and teachers alike lowered their building’s electric and gas bills, practicing “green” habits while learning about renewable resources. Student-led Green Teams even assisted with school checks, turning off lights and unplugging electronics not in use. Read more.

EPA gives Miami-Dade Schools $19 million for more electric school buses

“Transitioning to a clean transportation future means cleaner air and less pollution, it means healthier kids and healthier communities.” Thanks to recent funding from EPA and Volkswagen, Miami-Dade County Public Schools will soon add 80 new electric school buses to its existing 20. That means 100 of the district’s 800 school buses will soon be 100% electric, giving their kids a clean ride to school. The county plans to match the school district by introducing at least 100 electric transport buses! Read more.

Left photo of Morehouse College’s Graves Hall courtesy of Jason Getz/Atlanta Journal-Constitution; middle photo of EV race cars courtesy of Dan Scanlan/Jacksonville Today; right photo of Catawba College’s rooftop solar courtesy of Catawba College

Morehouse College gets federal recognition for energy efficiency

Morehouse College was recently recognized for its efforts to make its Atlanta campus more energy efficient. The HBCU has achieved 31% energy savings from a 2017 baseline, meeting its Better Buildings Challenge goal four years ahead of schedule. Energy efficient improvements included installing LED lighting and upgrading the HVAC system in the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel, as well as replacing heating and water systems in the school’s historic Graves Hall. Read more.

EV racers from Florida zip around FSCJ course

Zane Kay, a student at Florida State College at Jacksonville, recently raced his lightweight electric race car around a curvy Florida course. Part of the Electrathon America program, the race helps train high school and college students for the burgeoning EV market. Kay, who is part of his college’s automotive technology program, hopes to use the competition as a step toward his dream of working on full-size EVs. Read more.

Harold Miller remains the Godfather of EV

A former student reflects on the enormous impact of Harold Miller, a retired auto mechanics teacher at Northampton County High School in rural Gaston, North Carolina. In 1993, Harold formed the school’s North East Automotive Team, which set its sights on the regional EV Grand Prix competition slated for the spring of 1994. The small rural school’s unexpected victory would go on to inspire national press coverage and a 2004 book, “Electric Dreams.” 30 years later, Harold continues to champion the benefits of EVs and clean energy, true to his moniker, “The Godfather of EV.” Read more.

A Positive “Perfect Storm”: Catawba College’s Commitment to Clean Energy Career-Building

Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina recently became the first college in the Southeast and the 13th college in the country to achieve carbon neutrality, seven years ahead of its 2030 goal. Catawba achieved the milestone through a mix of on-site renewable energy, energy efficiency upgrades, carbon offsetting credits, and incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act. The college eventually plans to eliminate all fossil fuels and transition to 100% renewable energy. Read more.

Follow along each week

These stories highlight just a few of the positive things happening in our area! Every day we see signs of hope. The Clean Energy Generation is creating a future powered by clean energy that leads to clean air and water, good jobs, and vibrant communities.

Would you like to see more stories like this? We’ve got just the thing for you! Every Thursday, we share the latest clean energy news on Instagram with #CleanEnergyNews. Join us as we celebrate the progress and signs of hope in the clean energy transition.

Join the Clean Energy Generation

Together, all of us who are taking action are part of the Clean Energy Generation movement. We’re coming together to create healthier communities and a more secure and sustainable environment, starting now. No matter your age, income, zip code, or abilities, you can play a role. You don’t have to have the answers, learning more is a great way to start. Join us, and we’ll share ideas, resources, tools, and practices to show how we can all be part of the transformation.

Join the Clean Energy Generation

The post Eco-Education: Schools Across the Southeast Are Embracing Clean Energy appeared first on SACE | Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.

Eco-Education: Schools Across the Southeast Are Embracing Clean Energy

Renewable Energy

Has the Fever Broken?

Published

2 days ago

November 15, 2025

Alice Rush

Many Americans are starting to feel like the lady whose observations we see at left.

Exactly how this moves forward from here is anyone’s guess. Maybe the Democrats gain a huge majority in Congress in 2026 and then impeach and convict Trump–perhaps joined by lots of Republicans.

There are plenty of different scenarios.

Has the Fever Broken?

Renewable Energy

Trump and Climate Change

Published

2 days ago

November 15, 2025

Alice Rush

As shown in this short video, Donald Trump says that climate change is the biggest con job ever perpetrated on Earth.

We are to believe that Trump a) understands the subject better than the thousands of our planet’s top scientists, located in countries all around the globe, and b) he’s telling the truth, where they have somehow gotten together and conspired to lie.

That’s quite a stretch.

Trump and Climate Change

Renewable Energy

Can You Stack VEU with Solar or Other Incentives? – Find Out

Published

3 days ago

November 14, 2025

Alice Rush

Renting in Victoria often comes with its share of compromises, especially when it comes to heating and cooling.

In Victoria, most households face high bills and reduced comfort because their old gas heaters kick in during winter or inefficient split-system air conditioners struggle to keep homes cool throughout summer.

Fortunately, there’s a golden opportunity many residents don’t know about: the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) Program. This government-backed initiative offers meaningful rebates and discounts for efficient heating and cooling and other home upgrades.

But the question is: Do rental properties qualify for the VEU rebates?

The answer is yes, but there are a few important things tenants need to know.

Therefore, in this article, we’ll guide you through how tenants in VIC can benefit from VEU air con Upgrade, how the landlord consent process works, and share some real-world examples that you can follow to get started.

So, let’s begin!

In this blog post:

Understanding VEU Air Con Rebates: Can Renters Benefit?

As mentioned earlier, the Victorian government has introduced the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program to help
households and businesses reduce energy costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Under this scheme, accredited providers offer rebates or discounts on the installation of energy-efficient products,
including reverse-cycle
air conditioners that replace older, inefficient systems in your home.

How Does the VEU Rebate Program Work?

The government issues “VEU certificates” for each upgrade, which energy companies then buy to meet their
emissions-reduction targets. This trading system allows households to receive up-front discounts.

Significantly, tenants can also benefit from the rebate if they have their landlord’s approval for installing air conditioners.

In rental homes, this upgrade not only improves comfort and reduces electricity bills but also helps landlords meet
Victoria’s minimum energy-efficiency
standards for rental properties.

Eager to know more?

Here is how renters can benefit through VEU air con Upgrades:

Lower energy bills

Upgrading to a high-efficiency reverse-cycle air conditioner under the VEU scheme can significantly reduce your
heating and cooling costs.

For example, recent data represents estimated savings of $120 to $1,100 per year, depending
on the size or type
of
upgrade.

Switching to efficient heating
and cooling systems helps reduce ongoing operational costs.
In your home, better temperature control means you’re less reliant on inefficient systems, like gas-burning
heaters or fans.

Improved comfort and living conditions

In a rental property, installing a modern, energy-efficient cooling system means better indoor comfort.
This VEU air con upgrade can be especially relevant in rentals where older systems may struggle or be
inefficient.

Eligibility and access permission as a tenant

Tenants can access upgrades under the VEU program, though you’ll need to coordinate with the landowner.
The best part is that there are no income thresholds to meet. The program is broadly available to Victorian
households and rental properties.
The discount is applied via an accredited provider, so the cost to the tenant (or the landlord/tenant jointly)
is reduced upfront.

Air Con Upgrade adds value to the rental property

Even though this VEU rebate directly benefits the property owner or landlord in terms of value appeal, tenants
also benefit by renting a property with better systems that likely have fewer repairs or maintenance issues.
Upgrades reduce maintenance
tasks for tenants, as older systems are more likely to break, causing discomfort or disputes over
repairs.

Do Tenants Really Need Landlord Consent? | The Approval Process Explained!

If you are living in a rental property in VIC and thinking about upgrading your air conditioning system through the
VEU program, you might be wondering — do I need my landlord’s approval before installing the new unit?

Well, since you don’t own the property you’re renting, one of the first steps as a tenant is to talk with your
landlord and seek permission.

It’s important to check in with your landlord before making any upgrades or installations. It helps avoid common mistakes
that disqualify you from a rebate, ensures compliance with your lease, and keeps everything running
smoothly.

Here’s how the landlord approval process usually works and what you should do to get landlord approval
fast:

Initiate the conversation

As a tenant, you can raise the possibility: “Would you be willing to upgrade the heating/cooling system under the
VEU
rebate scheme?” You can emphasis the long-term benefits to the landowner, such as lower bills, greater comfort,
and
improved property value.

Check eligibility together: here’s what to check!

Confirm the property has existed for more than 2 years.
Verify whether the existing system is eligible for replacement, e.g. an old gas heater or a low-efficiency
AC
unit.
Not all the brands
and
models are eligible, so check the public
registry to find a suitable one.
Make sure the upgrade has not been claimed for that property before. The program won’t allow duplicate
claims.
Select a VEU-approved product and an accredited installer, such as Cyanergy.

The landlord gives consent

Your landlord or rental provider must agree to the upgrade. Many installers note that rental properties can
access
the scheme only when the owner provides landlord approval.

Transparent discussion on cost & contract

Before installing a system, a contract with the installer will outline the rebate and installation details,
including
who pays upfront.

It’s wise for both the landlord and tenant to review it.

Installation & rebate claim

The installer handles the application under the VEU scheme, ensuring that the discount/rebate is applied. The
landlord will likely be the applicant (since they’re the property owner), but tenants can initiate or support
the
application.

Post-installation: Allocation of benefits

After installation, the improved system delivers reduced energy use. The agreement between landlord and tenant
should
clarify how those savings are handled.

Pro Tips Every Tenant Should Know During the Rental Process

To get the most out of this opportunity, here are some best practices especially tailored for tenants:

Get everything in writing, keep records, and retain a copy of the document for both the landlord and you.
Request an estimate that clearly outlines the rebate process or discount amount, allowing you to see the actual cost.
Ask the installer to clarify the warranty, ongoing maintenance, and any other relevant details.
Ensure the landlord agrees to your shared arrangement, including the cost, benefits, and timeframe, before committing to it.

How are Costs and Incentives Shared?

One of the main questions is: when a tenant benefits, who pays for what? And how incentives are distributed?

Well, under the VEU scheme, here’s how it typically works:

Incentives offered

According to the Victorian government’s heating and cooling factsheet, installing an efficient reverse-cycle air conditioner can result in significant savings. For example:
- Up to about $840 when replacing a hard-wired electric resistance room heater ranging from 3 kW-9 kW in a non-ducted setting.
- Up to $2,520 for replacing a ducted gas heater and installing 4 split systems (1×8 kW + 3×3 kW).
The program also notes that for rental properties, benefits apply: the regulatory impact assessment states:
“The VEU program is available to renters. The program encourages collaboration between rental providers and tenants to work together on upgrades.”

So, who bears the cost?

When discussing cost-sharing for installing an air conditioning system in a rental property, the tenant may offer to contribute by paying higher rent, extending the lease term, or sharing the energy savings.

This helps both the landlord and tenants to secure the upgrade quickly.

However, in most cases, the landlord pays the bulk of the cost or arranges for the installer to claim the rebate or discount, reducing the upfront cost.

Then, the installer essentially offsets your rebate via VEECs (Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates) and passes the benefit on to the customer.

The rebate is usually applied up front, reducing the installation cost, and the amount depends on the type of system you remove and the system you install.

Sharing Benefits Between Landlord and Tenants: A Collaborative Approach

Upgrading the air conditioner or installing a new unit under the VEU rebate program can benefit both tenants and
landlords. While tenants benefit from lower power bills and greater comfort, landlords benefit from improved
property value.

Let’s picture this:

Example Scenario

The tenant initiates the upgrade, and the landlord agrees. The installer’s quote shows the system costs $4,000, with
a $2,500 rebate, so the net cost payable is $1,500.

The tenant might offer to sign a 2-3-year lease extension, providing the landlord with stability in return for a
share of the savings, such as lower power bills or a slight rent increase.
Landlord receives a modern upgrade, a better energy rating, and reduced risk.
Tenants enjoy comfort and lower bills, all while living in a rental.

However, even with a rebate, the property owner must meet the minimum customer contribution.

For instance, for a non-ducted reverse-cycle air conditioner under 10 kW, the minimum cost is $200 for a multi–split
system and $1,000 for a ducted system.

So, remember! While rebates are generous, they don’t always cover everything.

Ready to Upgrade Your Rental Home’s Efficiency? Cyanergy Make it Easy!

Whether it’s Victoria or NSW, more efficient rentals mean happier tenants and lower running costs. It’s a win-win for both. Don’t wait to make your property more efficient and affordable to run.

Let Cyanergy handle everything from rebates to installation so you can enjoy peace of mind and lasting value.

Start your upgrade journey today with us!