Schools across England will benefit from £180 million in funding for Great British Energy solar panels
The UK Government has announced that the first 11 schools have installed solar panels, backed by Great British Energy, saving a total of £175,000 per year. The savings will be reinvested in schools as part of the government’s Plan for Change to fix public services and incorporate clean power into buildings.
The first major project for Great British Energy
In March, the UK Government announced £180m funding for schools and hospitals to install rooftop solar, marking the first major project for Great British Energy, a company owned by British people.
Around 200 schools and NHS sites will receive rooftop solar panels, which will power classrooms and operations, whilst allowing them to sell leftover energy back to the grid.
Great British Energy’s first investment could see millions invested back into frontline services, targeting deprived areas, with lifetime savings for schools and the NHS of up to £400 million over around 30 years.
In the last few years, schools and hospitals have fell victim to high energy bills, which consequently costs taxpayers millions of pounds, whilst eating into school budgets.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: “Solar panels on school rooftops mean energy bills are cut and money can be invested directly into improving young people’s education while helping to tackle climate change for the next generation.
Great British Energy is delivering rooftop solar as part of our Plan for Change that will support communities for generations to come, relieving pressures on our vital public services and ensuring investment is made in the future of our young people.”
Great British Energy Chair Juergen Maier said: “Within 2 months we are seeing schools supported by our scheme having solar panels installed so they can start reaping the rewards of clean energy – opening up the opportunity for more money to be spent on our children rather than energy bills.
By partnering with the public sector as we scale up the company, we will continue to make an immediate impact as we work to roll out clean, homegrown energy projects, crowd in investment and create job opportunities across the country.”
Education Minister Stephen Morgan said: “Through our Plan for Change, this government is supporting schools to save schools thousands on their bills so they can reinvest money saved into ensuring every child gets the best start in life.
The installation of solar panels will also help pupils to develop green skills, promoting careers in renewables and supporting growth in the clean energy workforce.”
Supporting the mission for clean energy
Currently, only 20% of schools have solar panels installed, highlighting the huge gap between schools potentially save money on energy bills. Estimates suggest that a typical school could save up to £25,000 per year if it installed solar panels with complementary technologies, such as batteries.
Alongside helping schools and hospitals, the solar panels will support the government’s clean power mission.
The schools receiving Great British Energy solar panels are:
- Charles Warren Academy
- Feversham Primary Academy
- Harris Academy Chafford Hundred
- Harris City Academy Crystal Palace
- Notre Dame RC School
- Oasis Academy Nunsthorpe
- St Boniface’s RC College
- St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Poole
- St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Axminster
- Westfield Primary Academy
- Whiteknights Primary School
