Frequently Asked Questions
How profitable is each project?
The underlying projects funded by the Solar for Schools CBS are designed to deliver between 7% and 7.5% IRR over their 25 year lifetime. This ensures that enough reserves are built up to cover any periods where the system in not operating due to roof repairs or technical failures. Any surplus is then shared with the schools as determined by the Board of Directors of the CBS.
What is the minimum amount required to be able to invest?
This varies from £50 to £1,000 depending on the organisation raising the funds. In the case of the Solar for Schools Community Benefit Society it is currently £1,000 in order to keep administration costs down. We are working on automating more of the process so we can bring down the minimum in future.
How do I get notified when a Bond offer is open?
Once you register as a funder on our website, you will be notified via email or please check here.
What is the Solar for Schools Community Benefit Society?
The Solar for Schools Community Benefit Society was set up specifically to raise funding from socially minded investors and funds, hold the solar panels on behalf of the schools and share any surplus between the schools and us over time. It is governed by independent directors that are elected by the members; the schools who have solar panels are funded by it.
In the case of the Solar for Schools Community Benefit Society, the aim is to re-pay them within 5 years. This is dependent on being able to re-finance the systems with an Ethical bank such as Triodos and or other bond holders. Otherwise bond holders would be re-paid gradually over 15-20 years. As a bond holder you can sell or transfer your bonds to convert to cash sooner if needed, but they are not readily tradable securities.
The Solar for Schools CBS or local community Energy group issues bonds or redeemable shares with a target interest of 4-5%. The collected funds are used to pay for the development, installation and equipment for each system. The electricity from the solar panels is sold to the school, with any spare electricity sold to the grid. The income from sale of electricity is used to pay interest, maintenance and gradually repay investors. In some cases as with the Solar for Schools CBS the solar panels will be re-financed with a bank such as Triodos after 5 years, at which point investors are re-paid completely.
Can I invest in the solar panels on my own/other schools?
Yes, but there are strict rules in the UK to protect retail investors, If you are interested, check to see if you are eligible to do so by checking the conditions here.
What are the advantages of partnering with SfS?
1: We provide you with all materials and tools to help schools go solar and/or provide energy and carbon literacy education.
2: There are financial benefits for you.
3: Continuous work opportunities since there are many schools in the country to help go solar.
How long is the partnership for?
For one year with automatic renewal when wanted.
What are the requirements to become a partner?
For Affiliate partners:
1: Minimum age: 18 or parental consent.
2: Strong network with schools.
3: Access to internet, email address and mobile phone with camera.
For Local partners:
1: Experience working with schools and an interest in solar power.
2: Work exclusively with us in regard to solar projects on schools in a given area.
3: Act as a volunteer or independent contractor having other sources of income.
4: Comply with schools safeguarding rules and conditions.
5: Have in place public liability insurance (contractors).
For Education partners:
1: Experience teaching classes about sustainability, energy, and carbon literacy.
2: Use our programmes, materials, and workshops.
3: Experience working with children all ages.
For Corporate partners:
1: Contacts with schools.
How do we find out about jobs?
Please register/email us as an installer, structural engineer, or planner providing your locations, qualifications, and rates. Then, we will add you to our roster. We will be in touch with you when the opportunity will present.
Can we take care of planning, commissioning and maintenance?
No, that service is provided by us.
Can we provide the panels and materials?
Yes, depending on the offer.
What do we need to qualify as an Installer?
1: ID and DBS certification.
2: Sign agreement where you are accountable for paperwork, H&S and RAMS.
3: Pricing agreed upfront.
Yes, systems will produce according to targets and these are set according to your location. You can chart and check your generation against the projected targets.
Could one use batteries to save the difference and save more?
Technically yes, economically speaking no. Battery systems currently cost more than trading electricity with the grid. In some countries like Italy and Germany, the economics are starting to work, so we do see a day when we may offer batteries to schools in the same way as we offer solar today. As a result of the recent changes to UK subsidies, that day is getting closer.
Can I change electricity provider during or after the agreed period?
You may change your mains electricity provider at any time, but under the agreement you will continue to purchase electricity generated from the panels at the discounted rate adjusted for RPI.
Do I need to change my energy supplier to take advantage of the solar panels?
No. Although you may want to change to a green electricity provider so that you are 100% renewable.
How long does the process of obtaining panels take?
Once we have a signed agreement, it takes 2-4 months depending on what surveys need to be done and how busy we are. It can also depend a little on if the school needs the work to be done during school holidays. The first hurdle and most time-consuming step is getting the school leadership on board. The initial review we prepare for each school is designed to help with this. How long it takes to convince the leadership team varies and is usually the longest task. From a few minutes to a few months. From then on, we will need a few signatures from the Head teacher, the answers to some questions regarding the buildings and access to the buildings to complete the necessary surveys and then install the system. If we are crowd funding with the school, significantly more involvement is required in order to market the investment opportunity to parents and the local community.
What are the school’s load requirements?
We look at your bills over the year to look at your electricity needs and from this we can work out what the best sized system is and how much energy a particular system will contribute to that overall need/load.
How much roof space do I need to cover all our school's electricity needs?
Based on government spend on electricity and number of students in the UK, a school uses about 650 kWh per year per student. This could be covered by between 4 and 5 square metres of good south facing sloped roof or nearly 10 square metres of flat roof per student. A school with 40 students would need a 20x20 metre unobstructed flat roof. Schools consumes most electricity during the day when the panels are generating power, so they are well suited. Nevertheless, the panels may not always produce enough in the winter and will produce too much on weekends and summer holidays. So even if over a year the system produces enough energy to cover the school's total energy consumption, the school will still need to be connected to the grid so that it can export and import the difference as needed.
Why not just provide a lower cost of electricity rather than a profit share?
Lowering the price paid for by the school would reduce the income available to re-pay investors, making it a riskier investment as there would be no spare cash to cover any performance issues. This risk would then require a higher rate of interest to attract investors and in turn push up the electricity price again. So rather than giving investors a higher return, we create a safety buffer, which when not needed is shared between the school and Solar for Schools. This way investors are protected if anything goes wrong and both the Schools and Solar for Schools have an additional incentive to make sure the system delivers as planned. We are motivated to make sure it runs well and children and the school are incentivised to shift as much of your usage to times when the sun is shining via the energy detectives education programme.
What does the profit share depend on?
The calculated profit share is based on our assumptions on system performance, how much of the energy the school will use, financing costs and inflation. Schools should not count on the profit share but think of it as insurance against an investor making too much money from the system. I.e. if all goes as planned or better, the school rather than an investor get the benefit. If it goes wrong, the school still only pays the agreed electricity price.
If the system is funded by the Solar for Schools Community Benefit Society, any surplus, after costs and payments to the investors, is shared with each school.
What is the Solar for Schools Community Benefit Society?
The Solar for Schools Community Benefit Society was set up specifically to raise funding from socially minded investors and funds, hold the solar panels on behalf of the schools and share any surplus between the schools and us over time. It is governed by independent directors that are elected by the members; the schools who have solar panels are funded by it.
Can I donate money to my school so they get even cheaper or even free electricity?
Yes, some schools will try and raise donations to increase their savings from the solar panels, please contact the school's bursar
What funding options are available?
From grants and donations, to interest free loans and third party community based funds and co-operatives. Sometimes combining multiple options depending on each schools preferences and circumstances.
The savings with a funded model are the difference between what the school pays for the renewable versus what it pays for mains for the proportion of energy that is supplied by the funded solar system. Over time, savings also come from the lower interest paid for the renewable electricity vs. the higher interest from the mains. If the school invests in a system, then the power would be free to the school and the savings are the proportion of energy delivered and used where you do not have to pay for mains power. In addition to your savings as the owner and investor in a system you would in some instances also receive income from exporting any spare electricity.
Savings depend on where the school is located, how much electricity they use and how big a system can be installed. The further south and the larger the school, the lower the cost per unit of generated solar power and the more the school can save. Try our online calculator to see an initial estimate for your school. Note that even if the price per unit of solar power required to make the economics work for funding partners is greater than what the school pays today, as electricity prices continue to rise faster than inflation, the school may still save money in the long term. Solar power is a good long-term hedge against rising electricity prices.
Who pays for the solar panels?
The solar panel systems are either paid for by the Solar for Schools Community Benefit Society or the school can pay for them entirely or contribute towards them depending on their individual circumstances.
How much will it cost to obtain a solar system in my school?
Nothing, we cover all upfront costs. The funding comes from socially minded investors and the school will purchase the solar electricity consumed. If the school is suitable to carry panels on its roofs, a simple agreement will be signed before we start. We are tasked with the installation and management of the system for its lifetime enabling us to recoup our investment over time. We are not a solar installer; we are a solar asset manager dedicated to helping schools everywhere contribute to a better environment whilst teaching future generations about renewable energy.
Yes! You can download the app from the app store for free and start playing!
Is Planet Watch compatible with all smartphones?
For more information about how to access Planet Watch, please visit Solar Schools’ website.
Where does the data come from that is shown in the power charts?
The charts are created by using data from on-site electricity meters at a school. These meters collect data on the amount of electricity being imported or exported by the school as well as the electricity generated by the solar panels. The meters are connected to the internet and data is uploaded to our servers regularly.
How can I use the power charts?
You can get a lot of insight about how a school uses and generates electricity by looking at the power charts. Get an idea about the times of day when a school uses the most electricity, or figure out which month is the best month for solar electricity generation. We lead you through making these discoveries, so check it out!
What information is shown in the power charts?
Each chart shows you five different aspects of a school’s electricity profile. Specifically, you can see a school’s electricity use (or consumption) and import from the main grid, as well as the school’s solar electricity generation, self-consumption and export. You can see live data displayed in 15-minute intervals in addition to historic data displayed in week, month, annual and lifetime charts.
Where can I find live power charts for my school?
Check out the schools who have gone solar with us. You will find a solar profile for each school where there are live power charts for each of them.
What can I learn on this website?
There is a lot to learn on the Solar for Schools website and we will show you where to look. Take part in finding out where these knowledge nuggets are stored by clicking on the Energy Bee at the top of each page. You will learn about how solar technology works, about climate change and carbon emissions, about electricity use at your school and about the impact of going solar and choosing green technologies.
Can I be involved in surveying my school for solar panels?
Yes, of course! We have a workshop that leads you through what you need to look for at your school. A site survey is an important next step to go solar after you have gotten permission from the Head Teacher or Business Manager. During the survey, you will gather important information for the installers about the building, like location of the main meter, what the electrical room looks like and what is the structure of the roof. The survey you can do with an Eco-Club or with a teacher, and it should take about 45 minutes.
What’s the next step after designing a solar panel system for a school?
After you have designed a solar panel system for your school, the next step is to figure out who should fund the solar project. On each school profile, you will find information about funding and a summary of the money savings your school would have with solar. After this is considered, a report can be prepared and given to the Head Teacher or Business Manager to move the project forward.
How do I start designing a solar panel system for a school?
This is the first step. Use our design tool to draw a solar panel system on an aerial photo of your school and see what it would look like if your school had solar panels! Start by finding your school in our database.
Why should I help a school go solar?
Getting a solar project up and running at your school is a great thing to do for a number of reasons. As you may have already learned, solar panels produce electricity for your school from sunlight, which is a clean way to generate electricity. This helps your school become more sustainable. Secondly, you being involved in a solar project gives you a voice: if you want to help build a more environmentally-friendly future, a solar project at your school is a great place to start. Lastly, when you use the tools, we have available on our website, you have us as your partner to help you be successful, so you are not alone!
What can I do to help a school go solar?
We have available a design and calculation tool for you to use to help a school go solar. The first step is to get a good idea about how many solar panels could fit on the school’s roof. The next step is to think about who should fund the solar project. And of course, you will have to talk with the decision-makers about permission to complete the project. We’ll help you with each step.