100 schools cutting bills with Great British Energy solar panels

Classrooms and pupils are benefitting from lower energy bills thanks to Great British Energy-funded solar panels, as 100 schools and colleges have now completed their installations – with around 250 schools and colleges in total to have solar panels by summer.

Great British Energy and Government have targeted schools and colleges primarily clustered in areas of deprivation in the North East, West Midlands and North West, ensuring areas in most need get the support, as well as at least 10 schools in each region of England.

Around 250 schools and colleges are set to save up to an estimated combined £220 million over the lifetime of the solar panels, taking pressure off finances and securing more money to be reinvested in classrooms.

Great British Energy and Government is investing up to £255 million in total to install solar and complementary technologies, including batteries, on around 250 schools and colleges, around 260 NHS sites and multiple military sites, generating estimated lifetime savings for vital public services of up to £520 million across schools and NHS sites alone.

It comes as the Government and Great British Energy published the £1 billion Local Power Plan last month for communities to own and control clean energy projects, creating revenue for places of worship, social clubs and community centres.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

“Great British Energy has now helped 100 schools and colleges to save money on bills, meaning more money for textbooks and technology.  Across the country, solar panels are going up on rooftops to power classrooms with clean, homegrown power.  This is our clean energy mission in action, protecting our public services with lower bills and energy security.”

Great British Energy’s CEO Dan McGrail added: 

“Great British Energy is delivering affordable, clean power where it matters. Reaching 100 schools is an important milestone in our mission to cut energy bills and means more money can be spent on education. Our Local Power Plan will build on this success so that by 2030, every community in the UK will have the opportunity to own and benefit from a local energy project.”

gov.uk