Funders

By funding a solar panel system on a school, you are helping to fight climate change while earning a fair return on your investment. Be a part of it!

Existing Funders

Register/log in to set or change your repayment preferences, view performance details, download reports and accounts and see upcoming projects.

Why fund solar panels on schools?

Schools use electricity during the day, have large roofs and always pay their bills, but best of all, solar panels installed on school reduce carbon dioxide emissions and provides an income that allows us to deliver climate literacy education to students. We work with a growing number of funders, from individuals wanting to make a difference to climate change, to charities, community benefits societies, ethical banks and impact funds.

How it works

We work with schools to find the most suitable source of funding for each solar system depending on each school´s circumstances and location, sometimes combining grants, donations and community benefit society funded systems. Where funded or partly funded via a Community Benefit Society or Co-operative, we often help raise and then manage the funds. There is no upfront cost to the schools, they simply pay for the clean electricity they use from the panels instead of paying 100% for mains electricity supplies. Spare electricity is sold to the grid and income from electricity sales is used to maintain each system (including providing education), pay interest and re-pay funders over time.

Current bond offers

The Solar for Schools Bond Offer VI has now gone live! If you would like to look at options for investing within this 2% + RPI interest opportunity, you can find all information on our Ethex profile page.

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 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.
How does the investment work?

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.