The UK government hopes all schools will be net zero by 2050 by adopting sustainability and energy efficiency measures such as solar panels and charging stations.
They expect all schools to adopt a Climate Sustainability Plan by September.
However, funding and grant opportunities to attain this seem scarce at the time of writing because projects are currently being reviewed and updated.
Grants
If you are lucky enough to find and secure a grant, make sure it covers the initial outlay of installing solar panels and other infrastructure so you can become your own green energy supplier.
Not only do solar panels allow schools to sell any excess electricity to the national grid, but also to budget in a fluctuating energy market and help children learn how well green energy works.
The government’s ZERO VAT Commitment means you don’t have to pay VAT on the installation of solar energy systems up to March 31, 2027.
The only current grant available for state-funded schools provides 75 per cent off the cost of buying and installing electric vehicle chargepoint sockets on their sites.
Government Funding
This can come in the form of capital funding which is allocated to schools every year and can be used to improve energy efficiency.
Speak to your local authority to find out any opportunities to install solar panels.
This pilot scheme was set up by the Mayor of London so schools spend less on their energy bills and more on children’s education while cutting carbon emissions in the capital.
London boroughs were able to bid up to £500,000 with a maximum of £100,000 spent on one maintained school. Keep a look out on the scheme’s website for updates.
The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme
Salix Finance Scheme provides interest-free loans to schools for energy efficiency projects and has already awarded £3.3 billion to help finance 22,000 projects, saving 1.1 million tonnes of carbon a year.
The executive non-departmental public body is sponsored by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and manages the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
Although there are no projects open at the time of writing for schools, Salix advises schools to check its website as new projects come on board.
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
One way round the lack of funding available is to enter a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with a solar panel company or a group of investors who remain the owners of the panels.
The agreement works by giving the school access to the energy generated by the solar panels on their roofs at a lower cost than the mains supplier.
It means that schools are buying green energy, are helping to contribute to a net zero society and should see lower energy bills whilst not having to pay out for solar panels or ongoing maintenance.
Local Community Schemes
These work in a similar way to the PPA but the money to buy and install solar panels is raised amongst the community.
The school can either produce their own energy and sell any excess to the national grid, or the community group can sell the energy to the school at a lower rate than they were paying before, so the school saves on their electricity bills.
Alternatively, the joint venture could see any profit being put towards further greener measures or to provide solar panels to another school.
For example, The Low-Carbon Hub is an organisation that develops community-owned renewable energy installations for schools across Oxfordshire.
Schools can either become their own energy supplier or partner the organisation with any profit reinvested into further carbon-cutting projects.
There are several cooperatives around the UK providing community-owned solar panels to school rooftops such as Brighton Energy Cooperative, Egni Cooperative in Wales and The Schools' Energy Co-operative (SEC) which install community-funded solar panel systems on schools free of charge as well as paying all its profits to its member schools.
Let’s Go Zero 2030
This is a national campaign uniting teachers, pupils, parents and schools to work together to be net zero by 2030. They also work with the government to make sure that the right support is in place to help schools reach the goal. You can join the campaign by signing up here.
Leasing Agreements
While not a grant, a leasing agreement with a trusted supplier can help you spread the cost of investing in solar panels or a solar canopy for your school. In many cases, the electricity savings generated offset to a large extent the cost of the monthly payments. We work with Tower Leasing, a leasing company which specialises in working with the education sector, to provide customised lease agreements based on your specific needs.
Kensington Systems' solar canopies provide high-quality covered space while generating renewable energy to power your school. You can choose to install solar panels alongside the canopy or retrofit at a later date as funds allow. Get in touch with us today to find out more.
