The Tasmanian Liberal party has matched an election promise from Tasmanian Labor from two weeks ago with a $5 million Solar Schools Fund which will let state schools install solar panels and reduce their power costs.

The move has been celebrated by a network of 14,000 parents Australia-wide who are advocating businesses and government to act on climate change, dubbed the Australian Parents for Climate Action (AP4CA).

“This is a win for our children, because renewable energy in schools will create local jobs, save money on school electricity bills and reduce carbon emissions,” Hobart mother Madeline Hanson says.

“What’s exciting about this announcement is it shows clear bi-partisan Tasmanian support for sensible renewable energy initiatives.”

The AP4CA made pre-budget submissions to all the major Tasmanian parties asking them to Solar Our Schools: to put solar and batteries in all schools and early childhood centres across Tasmania.

Since AP4CA launched the campaign nationally in July last year, the NSW government has announced a $20 million pilot program of solar and batteries in 50 schools acting as virtual power plants; and in March WA premier, Mark McGowan, made a pre-election promise of $46m for clean energy in WA schools.