The benefits of rebuilding schools with solar panels

Schools and solar panels

The start of the new school year faced extensive disruption in September 2023 when it was revealed that a number of establishments were unsafe. The use of a crumbly concrete called Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) – which featured in the construction of some public buildings between the 1950s and mid-1990s – meant that the roofs of many schools across the country were at risk of sudden collapse.

Earlier this year, it was announced that 119 schools throughout Britain were constructed with this material and would need to be rebuilt in line with modern health and safety regulations. While this is an expensive and disruptive project, it presents a unique opportunity for schools to improve their infrastructure and capitalise on the benefits of renewable energy.

The financial impact of rising energy costs

Figures from the Department of Education revealed that in England, local authority-maintained schools faced a 61% increase in their energy bills in 2022-23 compared to the previous year. What’s more, the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, introduced in October 2022 to help educational institutions pay their bills, was scaled back in April 2023 to cover only those establishments that were paying above £302 per MWh for electricity and £107 for gas.

Schools that require rebuilding, then, could benefit greatly from solar panel installation. Indeed, for some schools already benefitting from solar panels, the projected savings over the lifetime of the PV system reach as high as £1.2 million. Such savings could be redirected to enhance the provisions for children, replacing play equipment, purchasing new technology or improving resources for SEND pupils, for example.

How much do solar panels for schools cost?

There’s no denying that a significant upfront cost is required for installing solar panels for schools. According to GreenMatch, a 10kW system costs £13,000 – £15,000 on average, while a 20kW system brings with it an average bill of £16,000 – £30,000.

However, the break-even period for such systems is relatively short compared to domestic solar PV systems. Schools can break even on their costs in six to eight years, meaning any electricity generated for the vast majority of the system’s lifespan is free.

The amount each school will pay depends on its energy demands, the size of the system installed, and whether solar panels and battery storage are required or only the panels themselves. The type and brand of the solar panels used will also be a factor.

Funding for solar panel installation in schools

Schools that are concerned about installation costs for solar panels can take advantage of a number of grant schemes and incentives. While these change on a regular basis, help is always available. Some options as of October 2024 include:

Salix Finance

Salix Finance Ltd provides government funding to the public sector for improvements to energy efficiency and for carbon reduction solutions. It is sponsored by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Energy Efficacy Financing (EFF) and Power Purchase Agreements

Some projects are eligible for 100% funding or heavily discounted solar panel installation through EFF and Power Purchase Agreements. These enable educational institutions to benefit from free solar panels fitted by qualified education solar specialists and allow electricity that’s generated to be sold back to eligible customers at a cheaper rate than the National Grid.

Local community schemes

In some areas, community energy groups raise the funds to pay for the solar installation. The energy produced is then sold to the school at a subsidised rate, giving the school immediate savings and ensuring investors are paid back over time.

Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)

In addition to the available funding and the potential to break even in six to eight years, schools can supplement their finances by taking advantage of the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). Under the scheme, any excess energy generated by solar panels for schools and colleges can be sold back to the grid for a rate provided by their energy company.

In order to qualify, schools must have a system that:

• Generates under 5MW
• Is installed by an MCS certified specialist
• Has a meter recording half hourly data
• Has DNO approval

Environmental benefits of rebuilding with solar panels

Beyond the financial savings, integrating solar PV for schools is hugely beneficial for the environment, and provides an excellent learning opportunity for children. Schools can play a significant part in helping the country reach its net zero targets, cutting carbon emissions by thousands of kilograms each year. Generating even a fraction of the establishment’s energy needs with solar power can deliver huge reductions in carbon dioxide and teach children the value of renewable energy.

Examples of schools making carbon savings

Whatever your school’s budget, solar panels will help it to reduce costs and make carbon savings. In September 2024, The Mead School in Tunbridge Wells approached South East Solar and Electrical for a renewable energy solution. We installed an 11kW solar PV system and a Tesla Powerwall 2, which resulted in savings of 40% on the school’s energy bills and a reduction in its carbon emissions of 5,053kg per year.

If your school has a larger budget, even more carbon can be saved. St John’s CE Primary School in Penge, London, required a 31kW system to meet its needs and is now saving 11,683kg a year in CO2 emissions. Assuming the system lasts for 30 years, that’s more than 350,000kg over its lifetime.

Educational benefits of solar panels for schools

As we mentioned above, installing solar panels in schools provides a great opportunity to teach pupils about the value of sustainable energy. It enables teachers to open conversations about the importance of protecting the environment, and highlight how small changes can add up to make a big difference. Schools can foster a deeper understanding of sustainable practices and engage children in caring for the environment.

In addition to this, the integration of solar PV for schools gives children a chance to explore careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Learning about how solar panels work, the installation process and the impact of energy consumption provides a framework for pupils to develop a deeper interest in physics, sustainable technology, and other areas of science.

The benefits of solar panels and battery storage

Schools can enjoy even greater energy independence and even lower bills with the addition of a solar storage system. Battery storage provides a way for establishments to store any excess energy that is produced by their panels and use it on cloudier days or after the sun sets. This is particularly useful during the winter months or if the school provides wraparound care and/or after school clubs.

The installation process

Before a solar panel system can be installed on a school, college or nursery, several permits must be obtained from the local authority. For institutions under the auspices of their local authority in Kent, permission must be sought from Kent County Council as the landlord. Academies should seek advice from Property Services and abide by the legal terms of their agreements before proceeding with installation. Educational establishments should also check if a solar PV system requires planning permission – for example, if the premises is in a conservation area.

Once all relevant permissions are obtained, the school can get quotes and engage a solar PV specialist to complete the installation. This should be a straightforward process, and should not cause disruption to the staff or children, even if it is not carried out during school holidays. Installation typically takes between two and five days.

Solar panel maintenance

In order to ensure the solar panels operate at peak efficiency throughout their lifetime, schools should implement a maintenance checklist. This should include:

• Regular visual inspections to identify cracks, scratches or potential hazards
• Cleaning away dirt, debris, bird droppings and other materials
• Monitoring of system performance to identify anomalies

It’s recommended that all solar panels for schools also undergo annual servicing by MCS certified

commercial solar PV installers. This ensures the system remains efficient and allows small issues to be identified and fixed before they become larger problems. It also optimises the longevity of the system, providing benefits to generations of children.

Conclusion

Solar panels for schools are a worthwhile investment and provide a range of benefits for the school itself, the pupils, the environment and the wider community. With the right funding, a solar PV system can be installed with minimal disruption, enabling schools to save on energy bills and direct their budget to where it is needed most.

If your school, college or nursery is based in Kent or Greater London and would like to enjoy the advantages that solar panel installation can bring, get in touch with South East Solar and Electrical today. Our MCS certified experts will determine the energy needs of your premises, provide a quotation and assist with securing government funding. Like many of our other clients, you can begin reducing your costs and your carbon emissions almost immediately, while teaching pupils about the importance of renewable energy.

Contact us today for advice or to arrange a consultation.