Hundreds of England's schools are about to save millions on their energy bills thanks to a major expansion of the government's solar panel programmes. The Department for Education has announced 100 more schools and colleges will join the Great British Energy Solar Partnership, which is projected to cut £220 million off energy costs over the lifetime of installed panels.
The partnership, backed by up to £40 million in government funding, aims to reduce utility expenses for educational institutions. So far, 245 schools have benefited from the programme, cutting their energy bills significantly and freeing up funds for children's education.
Yorkshire & Humber, the East Midlands, and the South East are among regions set to benefit from a new pilot scheme, which will see private sector funding of solar panel installations. Under this innovative model, schools won't pay anything upfront for high-quality panels – they'll simply purchase generated electricity at significantly lower rates than standard tariffs.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson highlighted the financial benefits: "Every pound saved on energy bills can be redirected to support children's learning and development." Secondary schools with solar panels are already saving almost £60,000 annually, while primary schools see savings of around £21,000 per year.
The Great British Energy Solar Partnership expansion builds on a broader government investment of up to £255 million. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband noted that the move will allow hundreds more schools to benefit from "clean, home-grown power" and reduce operational costs.