From initial review to long term management and climate literacy provision, we work with schools, councils, dioceses and trusts to make solar power possible at no risk to the school. We can also source grants and funding so schools don’t have to invest a penny.

Our impact so far

  • 156
    Schools completed
  • 14473
    Panels managed
  • 19,931 MWh
    Clean energy generated
  • 76,092
    Students seeing solar in action
  • 7,937 t
    Avoided CO2

See all schools we have helped so far

  • Foxfield School

    Size: 276 kWp

    Live since September 2019

  • Phorms Taunus Campus Frankfurt

    Size: 82 kWp

    seit August 2018

  • Loyola College

    Size: 191 kWp

    Live since April 2019

  • Image

    From start to finish, working with Solar for Schools has been a smooth unintrusive process. The project design, installation and planning teams have been a pleasure to collaborate with throughout. The standard of work is first class and provides another vista to our academy. We are excited about making savings to our energy costs as well as educating our pupils about sustainable energies for the future. Thank you so very much.

    John Murray,

    Site Manager RIBBON ACADEMY

  • Image

    When we first heard about the programme we thought it was too good to be true. You pay for the renewably generated electricity you use at a discounted rate compared to mains electricity but everything else is free of charge; install is free, panels are free, upkeep is free. And it's true! The install teams have been marvellous; install took place in term time, everyone has worked conscientiously to accommodate the children and our needs.

    Glenn Lillo,

    Ex-Head Teacher OASIS ACADEMY SHIRLEY PARK

Our services

Funding Options

Most schools don’t have spare funds to invest in solar panels, so we work with the school, academy, diocese or trust to determine the most suitable funding option; from grants and donations to interest free loans and third party community based funds and co-operatives. Sometimes we combine multiple options depending on each school´s preferences and circumstances to try and make it work, now that subsidies for solar have ended. In a growing number of cases, it is still possible to go solar at no cost to the school and in some cases financial savings over time can be significant.

How funded solar works
We source funding Partly funded system School funds system
Investment required None 5-95% of total investment 100% of total investment
Requirements School provides roof and agrees to purchase electricity from the solar panels for 25 years School provides roof and agrees to purchase electricity from the solar panels for 25 years School pays for all development costs and any ongoing costs related to maintenance & insurance
System owned by Solar for Schools Community Benefit Society (CBS) Solar for Schools Community Benefit Society (CBS) The schools, council or trust
Savings & Income Electricity price locked to RPI means long term savings. Plus 50% profit share from CBS 50% profit share plus lower cost electricity resulting from financial contribution Receives subsidy income and can use electricity at no cost
Ongoing costs All costs covered by the CBS After 25 years system either removed at no cost to school or donated to the school School pays for insurance, management, tax and repairs School should budget to remove the system one day School pays for insurance, management, tax and repairs School should budget to remove the system one day
Risk & effort required Low risk & low effort Lower risk & some effort Higher risk & effort
Total financial benefit 1-2 times the cost of the system 1-3 times the cost of the system 1-4 times the cost of the system

Next steps

Educational services

We help inspire and empower students by delivering energy and climate literacy education workshops and assemblies. We also provide online programmes for students to learn more about solar energy and we supply teachers with guides about our programmes.

Energy

Energy Literacy Education

It is much more than just an understanding of what´s on an electricity bill. Energy literacy means understanding the role and nature of energy in the universe and locally in our day-to-day lives and being able to strategize and conceptualise solutions for the challenges we face concerning our energy systems.

Reception - Year 6
CO2

Climate Science Literacy

Arming students with knowledge about actions they can take to reduce and mitigate the effects of climate change. Climate literacy creates an awareness of the carbon dioxide costs and impacts of everyday activities, and the ability and motivation to reduce emissions, on an individual and community basis.

Year 6 and up
Find out more about our pedagogy

Workshops and assemblies

The workshops and assemblies are provided free of charge for schools whose systems we manage. They are either delivered by our small in-house team of educators or one of our growing network of education partners around the country. Additional workshops can be ordered at a small charge of £100 and additional assemblies can be booked for £75, plus travel costs (minimum booking of 2 workshops and/or assemblies per visit)

    • Site Explorer

      Lead students through surveying the school building to help to move a solar project forward. We provide guidance about what to look for during the inspection and best ways to involve and empower students. Utilising our online surveying tool, your findings will be captured and as students engage in project learning. (in development)

      Duration: 45-60 min.

      Age: Year 3+

    • Where does the energy come from??

      Together, different energy sources are identified, and they are categorized as renewable and non-renewable. Students complete different activities that help them apply their newly gained knowledge to deepen their understanding about energy and its sources.

      Duration: 30-60 min.

      Age: Reception-Year 6

    • It´s electric!

      As a group, we work together to identify electrical devices and appliances. Where is electricity used in the classroom or at home? Students engage in different activities to highlight where electricity is used and identify where it can be saved or replaced by non-electrical devices. Advanced: students calculate how much electricity is being used at home or in the classroom.

      Duration: 30-60 min.

      Age: Reception-Year 8

    • Let´s play Energy Jeopardy!

      Students receive a brief summary about the science of energy. They then compete in a game of Energy Jeopardy to test their knowledge. This is a fun way for students to apply their knowledge about energy and to learn new facts about energy around the world.

      Duration: 30-60 min.

      Age: Year 4 - Year 8

    • Solar Champions (Offline Activity)

      Students learn about the sun and how we use its energy. Using aerial photographs, students cut out and paste solar panels on to buildings that have not yet gone solar, learning about how solar panels work and why they help a school become more sustainable.

      Duration: 45-60 min.

      Age: Reception - Year 6

    • Solar Cell Experiment

      The build and efficiency of solar panels is tested by experimenting with different types of solar panels. Instead of just learning about how a solar cell works, students measure the output of the solar panels and identify the qualities important for solar energy generation.

      Duration: 45-60 min.

      Age: Year 4+

    • Solar Introduction Assembly

      An inspiring introduction to how solar energy works and why it is important. Students are engaged in an interactive presentation about solar and how a school uses electricity.

      Duration: 15-40 min.

      Age: Whole school, KS1, KS2, KS3 and KS4.

    • Energy Introduction Assembly

      Students are presented with a thorough introduction to the topic of energy: what is it, what are its forms, how do we use it in schools and what are future energy challenges (and some solutions!).

      Duration: 15-40 min.

      Age: Whole school, KS1, KS2, KS3 and KS4.

    • Our classroom uses how much electricity?

      In small groups, students use metering devices to take different measurements of electrical use of appliances in their classroom. As a class, they discover which devices in their classroom uses the most electricity. Advanced: Students can calculate the environmental impact of the use of certain appliances. Requirement: students need access to electrical outlets and should be able to easily unplug and re plug-in at least 4 electronic devices in the classroom.

      Duration: 45-60 min

      Age: Year 4+

    • Climate Literacy Programme

      We provide programming to help your students develop an awareness of the carbon dioxide costs and impacts of everyday activities, and the ability and motivation to reduce emissions, on an individual, community and organisational basis. These workshops are in development. Please inquire for more details.

      Duration: 45-90 min.

      Age: Year 6+

    • Carbon Introduction Assembly

      The science of the carbon cycle and climate change are briefly discussed. Identifying local parameters, the presenter gives students an idea of the area’s carbon footprint, and students are engaged in creating solutions to reduce their carbon footprint.

      Duration: 15-40 min.

      Age: KS2, KS3 and KS4

Our latest news and blogs

Frequently asked questions