The energy challenges for schools
Solar panels benefits for schools
Schools are the perfect case for implementing solar panels. The Department for Energy & Climate Change (DECC) has split the key benefits into three categories:
- Reduced electricity bills: schools can make significant savings on their electricity bills, allowing them spend money on educational and recreational programmes, not on energy. Solar panels can generate electricity for more than 40 years so the cost savings will go on for some time and likely to be substantial.
- Reducing CO2 emissions: combating climate change by significantly reducing the school’s greenhouse gas emissions. Using the above example, a medium size system can reasonably expect to mitigate several tonnes of greenhouse gas emission each and every year, creating significant CO2 savings over the lifespan of a system.
- Education and engagement: being able to communicate to the pupils the benefits of sustainability through a working example of renewable technology in their own school will provide more direct engagement, particularly in the subjects of geography, science, design and technology and IT. This can also help to inspire the wider community to take action to address climate change.
Power purchase agreements for schools
BENEFITS AT A GLANCE
How can solar panels benefit my school?
Huge price drops in solar panels
Reduce business overheads
Create a healthy ROI
Improve your carbon footprint
Spearhead the drive to Net Zero
Charge your EV fleet with free energy
Significantly reduce energy costs
Improve education and engagement
Save money whilst protecting our planet
Secure your future energy
Achieve a healthy ROI
Create a competitive advantage
Everything you need to make an informed decision
Can my business continue to operate during a solar panel installation?
Yes, in most cases installing solar panels will not affect your business operating as normal. For obvious reason we advise that schools, academies and other educational institutes install their solar PV system outside of term times if possible.
How Can My School or Academy Benefit from Solar Panels?
The main benefit of installing solar panels for your school or academy is the healthy ROI that you will expect to achieve in savings on your energy bills. Your system will provide free electricity for 25+ years and pay back the costs of installation between 6-8 years, depending on the size and orientation of your solar PV system.
You can also use your solar panel system as scientific and environmental education for your students as well as promote your green initiatives, improve reputation and strengthen relationships with staff, pupils, governors and parents. Solar panels also make your school or academy independent from large energy suppliers and futureproof your institution with fixed costs for electricity, which then becomes free electricity over time.
Is My School or Academy Appropriate for Solar Panels?
Schools and academies often have a number of buildings that are appropriate for solar panel installation, which will provide significant savings on energy bills. Solar panels are best installed on south-facing roofs and can also run efficiently with east and west-facing orientations. North-facing roofs are not appropriate for solar panels, so roofs that are only north-facing are not appropriate. We can install solar panel systems on flat roofs, provided there are no obstructions on the roof.
If your roof is showing signs of age or minor damage, it may require repair or reinforcement before solar panels can be installed. This could cause a risk if the roof isn’t assessed because the additional weight of the solar panels after installation could cause the roof structure to collapse. We can install your solar panel system alongside a roof repair or upgrade if this is required.
Do Solar Panels Require Maintenance After Installation?
Another benefit of solar panels is that they require little to no maintenance after they are installed. If it is safe to access the roof where the solar panels are situated, they require cleaning with warm, mild, soapy detergent and a non-abrasive cloth. Grime and dirt will make the solar panels less efficient over time, so it’s important to ensure that the solar panels are clean and in good working order.
Inverters typically require replacement every 10 years. Solar batteries as like all regular batteries, require regular maintenance and checks to ensure that they are running as efficiently as possible. If you are unsure about the maintenance of your solar panels or your solar battery system, or have unsafe access to your roof, we offer a maintenance service to handle all of this for you after installation.
What are the environmental benefits for the academy or school?
As well as saving money on energy bills and generating free electricity for your school or academy, there are a wide range of environmental benefits. You are generating clean electricity and promoting green incentives for staff, pupils and parents. You can also create active discussions about renewable energy, technology, and use your solar PV and battery storage systems for assignments and teaching aids.
If you are looking to improve your academy or school’s green credentials, solar panels are a fantastic investment. Not only are you making your faculty greener, but you are also securing the cost of electricity for your buildings and making a return on your investment whilst reducing your overall environmental impact.
What is the educational value of installing solar PV?
Students can be directly involved and educated on how the solar PV system works, and can carry out theoretical and practical activities involving the solar panels and how they work. They can learn about the science behind photovoltaic technology, how solar panels work, how they generate clean electricity, and why they are essential for environmental incentives. This is a great additional benefit, as you are providing a teaching aid that is also benefiting your overall operations. Science, IT, Design and Technology and Geography students and teachers can all help by using the solar PV system and/or a solar battery system, as well as the monitoring technology and equipment, as teaching aids and educational resources, as well as for all students on the impact and prevention of climate change.
How can solar panels reduce our school's operating costs?
Simple measures, such as solar panel installation, reduce your school or academy’s operating costs as you are generating your own clean electricity. This effectively locks in your energy prices for many years, and you can see quick returns on your investment. Once you have made a return, you generate free electricity, which will save significant money over time. You’ve likely got a large amount of unused roofspace available, which could be generating your own electricity.
Both schools and academies are under pressure to maximise their resources while delivering a robust education for their pupils. Investing in solar panels and improving overall sustainability is a proven way to save money, providing an effective means to free up funds that can be directly allocated to curricular resources or essential site facilities.
Everything you need to make an informed decision
Can my business continue to operate during a solar panel installation?
Yes, in most cases installing solar panels will not affect your business operating as normal. For obvious reason we advise that schools, academies and other educational institutes install their solar PV system outside of term times if possible.
Is Solarsense accredited for health & safety?
Solarsense has demonstrated compliance with the CHAS standards in line with SSIP Core Criteria and UK H&S Legislation and has been awarded accreditation to the requirements of the CDM Regulations 2015. In addition to health and safety accreditation, Solarsense has also demonstrated full compliance with the following 6 modules of PAS 91: Financial & Business Standing, Environmental Impact & Sustainability, Quality Management, Equal Opportunities & Diversity, Anti-Bribery & Corruption & Modern Slavery.
What Are Solar Batteries and How Do They Work?
Solar batteries can be added to existing solar panel systems to retroactively upgrade them to commercial solar storage systems. Solar batteries are an addition to the solar PV system that allows you to store excess electricity in the battery for later use. The solar battery stores DC electricity and can then be converted by the inverter later to power your school or academy buildings. Solar battery systems can also include an emergency power supply, or EPS, to power buildings in the event of a power cut.
What if our roof is old or requires repair?
If a roof shows signs of age or requires repair, it must be repaired for solar PV installation to be safe. The panels are heavy and require reinforcement when installed, which requires a structurally sound roof. If the roof is not secured, then this is dangerous and can cause severe damage to the building. We can assess the roof during your survey and install your solar panels alongside roof repairs or upgrades.
Are our school structures or buildings suitable for solar panel installation?
Solar panels are best installed on south-facing roofs for optimal efficiency, but they can also be installed on east and west-facing roofs. North-facing roofs are not suitable for installation, as the panels won’t generate enough electricity to justify the cost. Your roof will need to be repaired if it is damaged or in disrepair to support the solar panels during installation. Solar panels can be installed on flat or pitched roofs and, where required, at ground level.
Will a solar PV system require planning permission?
Solar panels for schools and academies will typically fall under permitted development, so planning permission will not be required. If you have listed buildings or are within a conservation area, then you will need planning permission. We will advise you on whether planning permission may be required and handle notifying the relevant authorities when you are ready to proceed with installation.
Everything you need to make an informed decision
How long do solar panels last and does efficiency drop over time?
High quality solar panels are likely to last up to 40 years and degrade by approximately 0.5% per annum. The average warranty for a solar panel is between 10-12 years however in many cases it is possible to extend this period on purchase. SunPower currently offer the longest warranty as standard of up to 25 years. Your solar expert will explain all of the benefits and drawbacks of each panel when specifying your products.
How Can My School or Academy Benefit from Solar Panels?
The main benefit of installing solar panels for your school or academy is the healthy ROI that you will expect to achieve in savings on your energy bills. Your system will provide free electricity for 25+ years and pay back the costs of installation between 6-8 years, depending on the size and orientation of your solar PV system.
You can also use your solar panel system as scientific and environmental education for your students as well as promote your green initiatives, improve reputation and strengthen relationships with staff, pupils, governors and parents. Solar panels also make your school or academy independent from large energy suppliers and futureproof your institution with fixed costs for electricity, which then becomes free electricity over time.
What are the different ways to fund solar panels for schools and academies?
Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) are among the most common ways to finance solar panels for schools and academies. In this agreement, the third-party installs, owns and maintains the panels. Your school or academy then buys the electricity at a significantly reduced rate.
The other most common way to fund solar panels is direct financing, as well as asset financing & CapEx. School capital funding may also apply, depending on the success of your application. We always assist our clients in searching for the latest grants that are available, as well as help during the application process.
What is a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and how does it work for schools?
Power Purchase Agreements allow you to install solar panels with no upfront costs, and you still receive all the benefits of solar panels. You then purchase electricity at an agreed price point, and you don’t have to be responsible for or fund any repairs that may be required during the duration of the agreement. This provides you with immediate savings on bills with no initial capital investment.
What financing options are available if our school has a restricted budget?
Balancing budgets and investments is a tricky task with many organisations, and this is no different for schools and academies. Power Purchase Agreements are an excellent solution for restricted budgets. CapEx and traditional finance methods are also appropriate, as you will fund your solar panels with manageable monthly repayments. We will discuss all of the relevant funding options and the solution that best suits you. We will also advise you on available grants and use our expertise to help you identify and apply for grants that will help reduce the initial cost of investment if you choose to fund your solar panels yourself.
Does the price of solar panels make installation a better investment now?
Solar panels have always been a fantastic investment, but falling installation costs make them even better for self-funding.
What is the typical Return on Investment (ROI) for a school solar system?
Depending on the size of your solar PV system and the number of panels you can install, you will typically see a return on your investment within 4 to 8 years. Large-scale systems have been known to make returns for schools and academies within 3-4 years. Our installation for King’s School, Macclesfield, made a return on investment in 4 years with a 25-year net profit of £2,140,084
Everything you need to make an informed decision
How Do Solar Panels Generate Electricity?
Solar panels are a great talking point and educational point for pupils who are interested in science, as well as environmental responsibility and protection. Solar panels utilise solar PV cells that excite electrons when sunlight hits the cell. This is then converted via the inverter from DC into AC electricity to power your school or academy directly. With systems that have solar batteries installed, the battery can store DC electricity for later use, which is then converted into AC in the same way to provide power.
What Are Solar Batteries and How Do They Work?
Solar batteries can be added to existing solar panel systems to retroactively upgrade them to commercial solar storage systems. Solar batteries are an addition to the solar PV system that allows you to store excess electricity in the battery for later use. The solar battery stores DC electricity and can then be converted by the inverter later to power your school or academy buildings. Solar battery systems can also include an emergency power supply, or EPS, to power buildings in the event of a power cut.
What is the primary benefit of adding battery storage to our school's solar system?
Solar battery storage is highly recommended for commercial systems. The primary benefit that you receive when installing a solar battery is that you can choose when to power your buildings, so you have adequate electricity coverage throughout the day. You can charge the battery using off-peak electricity from the national grid to meet energy demand at much cheaper rates. This is also ideal in the winter, when you have shorter days and fewer hours of sunlight than in the summer months.
Can battery storage protect the school during a power cut?
Yes, but the battery storage system needs to be a specialised system with an emergency power supply (EPS). This stores electricity for auxiliary and emergency use. Your school or academy must have quick access to electricity again in the event of a blackout or brownout, so this is another benefit of having solar battery storage if you choose to install EPS.
How do we monitor the system's performance?
Software is installed to help monitor your system’s performance, and we will instruct you on how to do so. Monitoring performance is also a valuable tool when educating students about how solar PV works, as performance-monitoring software can teach about these technologies and provide a working example of how your solar PV system is generating electricity and its efficiency over time.
Where we've increased environment sustainability
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