Against a backdrop of rising energy prices, schools the length and breadth of Britain are taking control of their energy and generating their own, thanks to 10:10’s successful Solar Schools campaign.Supporters ranging from Mumsnet CEO Justine Roberts to Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker MP are calling on more schools to help create a trailblazing solar revolution across the country.
The carbon-cutting campaign helps schools fundraise to buy solar PV and generate their own electricity. And it’s not just schools in the sunny south that can reap the rewards. From Five Islands School on the Isles of Scilly in the Southwest corner of the UK, to Springwell School in Hartlepool in the Northeast, schools throughout England and Wales are recognising the financial, community, environmental and educational benefits of going solar.
Justine Roberts, CEO of Mumsnet, the UK’s largest website for parents, is writing to her own kids’ school urging them to sign up. She said: “We can all do something positive for our local school and the planet – encourage them to get on board with Solar Schools. They make it easy and fun for schools to install solar panels so they cut carbon, save money on energy bills, and earn extra cash for school projects.”
The 10:10 team provides expert advice, training and support and a host of free fundraising materials such as stickers, posters, banners and a page on the Solar Schools website. With their help, 14 schools have already completed the Solar Schools process since it launched a year ago, tripling on average their normal fundraising efforts, with eight more well on their way.
The campaign launched its second year in October and 19 schools have already started their fundraising efforts this term. The scheme is now open for new schools to apply at any time.
Energy and Climate Change Minister, Greg Barker said: “This is a genuinely exciting technology that will help schools generate their own energy, while saving money and cutting carbon at the same time.
“It’s great to see Solar Schools spearheading the installation of solar PV in schools up and down the country.”
Schools are ideally suited for Solar PV because they use most of their energy during the daytime. The finances really stack up: schools can expect to save an average of £475 a year on their energy bill and earn an extra income of £1,000, according to Solar Schools’ calculations based on an average solar PV installation of 7.7 kWp.
But the benefits go much further. Solar Schools brings together the whole community with lots of fun and exciting fundraising activities, from pumpkin raffles to bungee jumps; engages pupils and parents with climate change and renewable energy; and helps develop their entrepreneurial and communications skills too.
One example is Pendock Primary School, a tiny rural primary school (46 pupils) on the Gloucestershire/Worcestershire border, which raised over £9,000 to fund a 6.24kW solar array in just two terms. The school emphasised how the fundraising process has strengthened the bond between the school and the local community, leaving a positive legacy that goes beyond the solar panels themselves.
Mechteld Blake-Kalff, Chair of Friends of Pendock School, said: “We wanted the fundraising to be fun, and we tried to do something that would appeal to everyone – so we had sports activities, singing events and held village parties. People tend to get fed up if you only talk about the money!”
The solar panels were installed in May 2013, and thanks to the gorgeous summer weather have substantially exceeded expectations in terms of generation. During the August school holidays when the school normally ‘ticks over’ electricity use fell by 75% compared with the previous year.
So far the school has saved about £500 on its energy bills and earned an additional £412 from the feed-in tariff. It is estimated that the annual financial benefit to the school will be £1,165.
The income generated from the panels will currently be used to upgrade computer technology in the school, but in future to look at further improvements to use energy more efficiently, for example LED lighting.
Sally Lyndon-Chance, Headteacher of Pendock CE Primary School, said: “If a small school like Pendock Primary can do this, then there’s no reason any other school can’t do it too.”
Pendock pupil Emma Tillott, age 8, said: “Solar energy saves the environment and money.”
Fleet Primary School in Camden, North London (236 pupils) plans to follow suit and launched its Solar Schools campaign this term to raise £10,000 to fund its solar panels. The school did a full environmental refurbishment in 2012 including insulation and double-glazing, so the next logical step was solar panels.
Barb Turk, parent governor, Fleet Primary School, said: “The school was keen to further develop our awareness of and commitment to sustainability. We decided to go with Solar Schools because we wanted the sense of ownership that comes with the effort required – and the years 4, 5 and 6 Business after-school club wanted a project that would teach them about fundraising and raising awareness.”
Amy Cameron, Solar Schools Campaign Manager, said: “Solar Schools is a chance for pupils, parents, local businesses, former students and everyone else to do something good for their school, their community, and the whole world, and we can help them achieve that.” – Nextgen via Google
Related Posts
