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Client
Gloucestershire Community Energy
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Installation
Minchinhampton Academy
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Sector
Schools & Education
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Technology
Solar Panels
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System Size
51.59kWp
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No. of Solar Panels
154
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Estimated Annual Output
49,130 kWh
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Estimated Annual Carbon Savings
29,463 kg
Client
Minchinhampton Church of England Primary Academy is based in Gloucestershire. The school has undertaken an innovative solar panel project to contribute to its net-zero initiative and to help plug the gap between its finances and eco-friendly aspirations.
The Diocese of Gloucester Academies Trust, which owns Minchinhampton school, has agreed to lease roof space for solar panels to Gloucestershire Community Energy Co-operative (GCEC). This energy cooperative is offering the local community the chance to buy shares in the solar installation, helping to cut the school’s carbon emissions and energy bills.
The school will pay the cooperative for the clean electricity generated by the solar panels that it can use. Any extra electricity, not needed by the school, will be sold to the local grid at a wholesale market price. It’s expected that the school will be charged much less for the energy it generates from the solar panels than it would have been charged for the power from an electricity company.
Solar Panel System
In the first year, it is predicted that the school will save £400 on its electricity bill and that savings would increase over time. In the first year the carbon emissions of the school will be reduced by about 5 tons through the substitution of grid electricity that would otherwise have been used by the school.
The money from the sale of the excess electricity will be used to pay an expected interest of 2.5% a year to investors, to build a fund to repay the original investments over 25 years, and to maintain the system.
Matt Partridge, school parent and treasurer for Nailsworth Climate Action Network explains, “The project would significantly reduce the school’s carbon footprint by generating zero-emission solar power while saving the school money by providing a lower and more stable electricity tariff from the panels on its roof! A definite win-win-win that I hope other schools will consider.”
Nick Moss, Headteacher at Minchinhampton said, “We have been developing a new curriculum and the eco side of this curriculum is very important to us all. However, if we don’t lead by example; if we don’t actually function more sustainably as an institution, then we can’t teach about the environment with any integrity. Yes, this solar project will reduce our electricity bills but it will also act as a brilliant learning resource for the children.”
Services provided
- Detailed technical design (solar panels)
- Full supply, installation & commissioning
- Full handover including MCS registration and G99 grid connection
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