The solar for schools specialists
Solar panels for schools & academies
Solarsense provide a turnkey supply, installation and maintenance service for school solar panels and offer a range of finance options, including 100% asset finance and a competitive power purchase agreement (PPA).
Having installed more than 100 school solar systems across the UK including the first “Zero-Carbon in-use” school in Europe, Solarsense are the perfect partner to help your school reduce its overheads, lower its carbon footprint and provide an invaluable teaching resource for staff and pupils.
The energy challenges for schools
The Carbon Trust estimates UK schools could reduce their energy costs by around £44 million per year; offsetting 625,000 tons of CO2 per annum.
Implementing simple energy efficiency measures such as solar PV panels not only cuts costs but is likely to improve conditions for pupils.
Both schools and academies are pushed to make the most of their resources, while providing a solid education for students. Investing in solar panels and making improvements to sustainability saves money; offering an effective means to releasing funds for curricular resources or facilities.
Although solar PV poses a smart investment, many schools have restricted budgets or understandably prefer to spend their capital elsewhere. We have therefore partnered with some of the UK’s best financial institutions to offer a range of solar finance options for schools and academies.
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
A power purchase agreement (PPA) has quickly become one of the most popular ways for schools and academies to finance solar panels. If your energy usage and roof space meet specific criteria, this solution allows you to benefit from a free solar PV installation, financed by a PPA provider.
Electricity generated by the system is then sold back to you at a rate much cheaper than your current energy prices; saving you thousands of pounds on your bills and providing your business with all the benefits of solar PV with no upfront cost.
You rent your roof and buy the discounted solar electricity rather than investing in a solar PV system of your own.
BENEFITS AT A GLANCE
How can solar panels benefit my school?
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Significantly reduce energy costs
Spend money on educational and recreational programmes, not on energy.
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Improve education and engagement
Communicate the benefits of sustainability through a working example of renewable technology.
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Save money whilst protecting our planet
Utilise clean, renewable energy to offset your schools carbon footprint and reduce your pollution.
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Secure your future energy
Pre-purchase electricity at a fixed unit price, forecast your long-term energy costs and protect your business against future increases in utility prices.
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Achieve a healthy ROI
A typical school solar panel system will provide free electricity for more than 25 years and pay back installation costs within 6-8 years.
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Create a competitive advantage
Visibly promote your green initiatives, improve reputation and strengthen relationships with staff, pupils, governors and parents.
- 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.
- 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.
Operations, maintenance and monitoring
Safeguard your equipment against possible breakdowns or reductions in performance
Our relationship with you doesn’t end after installation, we offer a comprehensive monitoring, operation and maintenance service to ensure your solar panels continue to perform for the duration of their lifetime.