SolarSense Supports Science Week at Cathedral Primary School

SolarSense Inspires Future Renewable Energy Leaders During Science Week Visit to Cathedral Primary School

SolarSense recently visited Cathedral Primary School as part of Science Week, teaching Year 5 pupils about renewable energy, sustainability and the growing importance of clean energy technologies in the nation’s transition to Net Zero. The visit forms part of SolarSense’s wider commitment as a certified B Corporation to deliver positive social and environmental impact through education, community engagement and sustainability leadership.

Delivered by SolarSense Service Electrician Matt Tomson, the interactive session introduced pupils to renewable energy, how solar PV systems work and the wide range of career opportunities available within the clean energy sector. Students explored the differences between fossil fuels and renewable energy sources, learned how solar panels generate electricity and discovered how technologies such as battery storage and EV charging are helping shape the future of energy.

Inspiring the Next Generation Through Renewable Energy Education

As part of the presentation, pupils learned about the power of the sun and the role solar energy can play in reducing carbon emissions and improving sustainability across homes, schools and businesses. The session explained how solar PV systems convert sunlight into usable electricity and highlighted the growing importance of renewable energy in tackling climate change.

Matt also showcased a number of landmark SolarSense renewable energy projects across the UK, including installations at Bristol Bears Rugby, AUMA Engineering and Glastonbury Festival’s Worthy Farm, helping pupils understand how renewable energy technologies are being deployed across major brands, public venues and infrastructure projects.

The visit also explored careers within the renewable energy industry, including electricians, project managers, design engineers, installers and energy consultants, alongside the practical skills needed to support the UK’s clean energy transition. Pupils were particularly engaged by demonstrations covering drone technology and thermal imaging, which SolarSense engineers use to inspect and maintain solar PV systems safely and efficiently.

Isobel Holloway, Primary School Teacher at Cathedral Primary School said;

“We are so grateful to SolarSense for taking the time to give a presentation to a Year 5 class at our school. It was incredibly informative and engaging and the children were bursting with questions. Thank you for taking the time to come in and bringing in the models to inspire the next generation!”

Supporting Schools, Academies and Universities Across the UK

With more than 30 years’ experience in renewable energy, SolarSense supports schools, academies, colleges and universities across the UK with commercial solar PV, battery storage, solar carports and EV charging infrastructure designed to reduce operating costs, improve energy resilience and support sustainability goals.

Projects have been delivered in partnership with a wide range of educational organisations and public sector bodies, including regional solar PV initiatives with local authorities such as Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council, alongside installations for private schools, academies, colleges and universities nationwide. These projects help educational organisations reduce reliance on grid electricity while creating valuable opportunities for students to engage directly with renewable energy technologies operating within their own learning environments.

SolarSense has also supported a wide range of further and higher education organisations including Abingdon & Witney College, York College, Exeter University and the University of Nottingham. Among the most notable is the GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratory for Sustainable Chemistry at the University of Nottingham, where SolarSense designed and installed advanced solar PV infrastructure as part of a pioneering low-carbon research facility that received the Best UK Energy Project award at the British Renewable Energy Awards.

Alongside reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency, solar PV systems can support schools, colleges and universities in addressing rising energy costs, freeing up budget that can instead be reinvested into teaching, facilities and student resources. To find out how much your school or business could save, try our solar calculator or fill out our contact form and one of our energy experts will provide a detailed energy audit, including your potential savings, carbon reductions and overall profitability.

Delivering Added Value Beyond Renewable Energy Installations

For schools, academies, colleges and universities, renewable energy infrastructure can deliver far more than just lower energy bills and carbon reductions. Solar PV systems also provide valuable opportunities to support sustainability education, STEM engagement and environmental awareness by allowing students to interact directly with clean energy technologies operating within their own learning environments.

Increasingly, educational organisations are looking to integrate sustainability into both their estates strategies and wider curricular activities, helping inspire greater awareness of renewable energy, climate change and the transition towards a low-carbon future. By combining renewable energy infrastructure with practical educational engagement, schools can create long-term value that extends beyond financial savings and carbon reduction.

One example of this wider educational impact can be seen at The King’s School Macclesfield Solar PV Project. SolarSense has supported the school’s sustainability initiatives for several years following the success of an initial pilot project, including a 184kWp solar PV system installed on the roof of the Sports Centre. This installation alone is forecast to save the school approximately £1.3 million in electricity costs over the lifetime of the system while reducing carbon emissions by more than 34,672kg each year.

As part of the project, SolarSense donated additional solar panels to support curricular studies, helping provide students with practical, hands-on opportunities to learn more about renewable energy technology, electricity generation and sustainability within an educational environment. In addition to powering the Sports Centre, the solar panels also support the aeration systems within the school’s ponds, helping enhance wildlife habitats and further strengthen the school’s outdoor learning programmes.

Jonathan Spencer Pickup, Bursar and Director of Finance at The King’s School Macclesfield, said:

“King’s wants to reduce its energy usage for the benefit of current and future pupils while also providing real-life learning opportunities around renewable energy technologies that will play a major role in the future of energy generation in the UK. Conservation is also a major issue for all our young people and we are determined to show that their community is doing its level best to meet their concerns.”

Renewable Energy, Education and Social Impact

As an employee-owned certified B Corp, SolarSense is committed to balancing purpose and profit by delivering measurable environmental and social impact alongside commercial success. Educational outreach initiatives such as the Cathedral Primary School Science Week visit form an important part of that commitment.

SolarSense has now delivered more than 15,500 renewable energy systems across the UK over the past 30 years, helping schools, businesses and public sector organisations progress towards Net Zero through clean energy solutions. By engaging directly with schools and young people, SolarSense aims to help inspire the next generation of engineers, scientists and sustainability leaders who will play a vital role in shaping the UK’s renewable energy future.