School Solar Panel Installation

Solar energy is playing an ever increasing part in how the world tackling carbon emissions and lessening their reliance on fossil fuels. Home and business owners are moving to install solar panels as a way to save on energy bills and do their part for the environment; there is no limit on the amount of sectors that can benefit from the use of solar energy. A growing number of schools both public and private are installing solar panels thanks to the numerous benefits on offer.

Benefits of school solar panel installation

There are numerous benefits to school solar panel installation and both primary and comprehensive schools have never had a better reason to make the move to solar energy.

Powering appliances in a school can be extremely costly with computers, TV monitors and lighting on constantly throughout the day. The installation of photovoltaic solar panels can help to reduce annual energy bills by up to 20%; it will also allow carbon reduction targets to be met. Solar panels will help to save approximately 1,400 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year, which equates to an equivalent of around 400 cars being removed from the roads.

Aside from the money saving and environmental benefits, schools can also use the panels as a way to teach children about the value of solar energy and the excellent impact that it can have for their planet in the future. Children will benefit from seeing first-hand how effective solar panels are and how green energy works.

School solar panel installation options

Schools are able to gain access to numerous ways to purchase solar panels and have options that aren’t available to homeowners looking to purchase a solar panel system.

The first option is for the school to by the panels out right. Grants are available to help fund the installation fees, with the Low Carbon Buildings Program able to offer up to 50% off the total installation cost and the Big Lottery Fund proving grants of up to £5000 plus 50% towards the cost of installation cost. Buying outright will also enable the school to take advantage of the feed-in tariff which will provide a guaranteed income for 25 years. The feed-in tariff coupled with the savings in electricity bills will mean that the solar panel installation effectively pays for itself.

The second option is known as hosted solar which is where a school will pay a small up- front cost and make saving from the reduction of energy bills.

The final option is leased solar in which a school will put down a small deposit in order to lease the solar panels and have the lease payments covered by the feed-in tariff.

MySolar School scheme

The MySolar School scheme is run by British Gas and gives the chance to have school solar panel installation carried out for free. The scheme is run as a competition and schools will need to register and fill out an application in order to be eligible.