Solar Schools
In 2014-15, Solar Schools will provide 20 teams of staff, pupils and parents with the training,
support and tools they need to crowdfund the cost of solar panels – cutting carbon, strengthening
communities, boosting budgets, learning skills, and exploring energy in a totally new way.
We’re looking for schools to join us in doing
something amazing. Put your school forward at
solarschools.org.uk/apply
“Fundraising for Solar Schools has unlocked the potential within
our school community and identified that for many local
businesses they were just waiting to be asked for help. This
increased engagement has the potential to have a real long
term benefit for our school and we are delighted with the
response that we have received.”
Mary Shorland, bursar, E.P. Collier Primary School
"We can all do something positive for our local school and the planet - encourage them to get on board with Solar Schools. They
make it easy and fun for schools to install solar panels so they cut carbon, save money on energy bills, and earn extra cash for
school projects."
Justine Roberts, CEO of Mumsnet, the UK’s largest website for parents
"Solar Schools has completely reinvigorated our students’ approach to sustainability. We've had pupils queuing down the
corridor to get into our eco-team meets and […] we've been able to get loads of other projects off the ground that we've been
keen to do for a long time like setting up a gardening club."
Gary Champion, teacher, Benjamin Britten High School
“I know many of the schools involved in Solar Schools and I’m hugely impressed by its impact on community involvement and
how it motivates students… Every school should be able to find a champion to move it from their wish list to reality.”
Professor Sir Tim Brighouse, former Schools Commissioner for London
What is Solar Schools?
Solar Schools is a comprehensive fundraising toolkit that helps schools to raise the money they
need to install their very own solar panels. We provide each participating school with:
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A webpage on the Solar Schools site (solarschools.org.uk), designed by experts
to make it easy and appealing for family, friends, businesses and ex pupils to donate.
Free printed resources like banners, posters and stickers to help spread the word.
In-depth training sessions on everything from fundraising to press work.
How-to packs, case studies and videos to help along the way.
Staff support and mentoring throughout the journey – our team are always on hand.
To date, Solar Schools has supported 50 schools in collectively raising over £350,000 from local people and businesses
and installing over 600 panels… and counting!
We can support up to 20 schools across the academic year with our proven package of support. If you’d like you your
school to be in with a chance of taking part, head to solarschools.org.uk/apply to find out more and get involved.
How will solar benefit my school?
Investing in solar cuts carbon and cushions schools against rising fuel costs. Plus, thanks to government feed-in tariffs
which provide an income to anyone installing renewable energy, our Solar Schools will enjoy an additional boost to their
budgets for 20 years.
Every school is different and, as such, all our schools install different sized solar systems. A typical Solar School, will raise
£8,000 – £10,000 to install around 8 kilowatts of solar panels - that’s roughly 33 panels - which could cover an area half
the size of a tennis court! This could:
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Bring in over £20,500 in Feed-in Tariff payments over 20 years.
Save a school over £400 a year in electricity bill (and that’s before any more electricity price rises).
Save over 87,500 kg of carbon dioxide emissions over 25 years - equivalent to 215 barrels of oil!
Create enough power to make 130,000 slices of toast... (2 pieces of toast every day for 178 years!)
OK, tell me more!
The unique crowdfunding approach to Solar Schools means that the whole community can get involved in your solar
journey, with incredible results:
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An exciting new way to teach pupils about energy by involving them in a positive, practical project that tackles
climate change.
New enthusiasm for eco work within the school.
Improved links with parents, local businesses and organisations.
Increased profile of the school in the local area.
New skills and confidence that can be applied to other projects in the future.
Some of our Solar Schools…
Pendock CE Primary, Worcester. Raised: £9,170. Installed: 6.24kWp
"If a small school like Pendock Primary can do this, then there's no
reason any other school can't do it too."
Sally Lyndon-Chance, headteacher
Barnes Primary, West London. Raised: £10,000. Installed: 5kWp
“Taking part in Solar Schools was an incredible opportunity for our
school, and an experience that will benefit us for years to come. Not
only are we now enjoying the great financial and environmental
benefits of solar panels, but our pupils, staff and parents got a huge
amount out of the fundraising process itself.”
Sue Jepson, deputy headteacher
Roseberry Primary, Stockton. Raised: £10,013. Install: coming soon
“The children have learned so much from the fundraising process.
One year group set up their own market school in the town centre which was an invaluable experience. The children are also
really keen to know more about sustainable energy and being greener.”
Nicola Parker, nursery teacher
Explore the project and get involved at www.solarschools.org.uk/apply
Or get in touch with us: hello@solarschools.org.uk
FAQs
Who is behind the Solar Schools project?
Solar Schools is run by the carbon cutting organisation 10:10 (1010uk.org), a 100,000-strong global community of
people and organisations tackling climate change.
Who owns the solar rig and the associated feed-in tariffs?
We help schools fundraise the cost of solar panels. This means that the panels, and all of the benefits, belong
entirely to that school. We do not handle any of the money. Instead, our website uses a payment gateway that
transfers donations straight into an account designated by the school. Schools purchase the rig themselves, so
there are no complicated, long term leasing arrangements with us or anybody else!
As well as saving money on energy bills, schools who install solar will enjoy an extra boost to their budget through
feed-in tariffs (Fits) - a government scheme designed to encourage the installation of renewables. Fit payments are
made in relation to the amount of solar energy generated and used by the school, with an additional amount paid
for any surplus returned to the grid. After installing solar, a school will receive Fit payments at a guaranteed rate for
20 years. Unlike other schemes, with Solar Schools, all of that income goes directly to the school.
How do you select the winning schools?
Only 20 schools will be able to take part in Solar Schools 2014-15. To be in with a chance, schools have to complete
an application designed to help them (and us!) make sure they have all the building blocks in place for a successful
project. Beyond that, we look to support a range of schools across different areas, demographics and ages. Plus,
we’re looking for the schools that we think have that Solar Schools spark!
Can any school take part?
Solar Schools welcomes applications from any school in England and Wales, however we can only support a
maximum of 20 schools across each academic year.
We’re not currently operating in Scotland but we’d love to and are looking to tailor the project accordingly. If
you’re in Scotland and interested in taking part - please get in touch with us directly on hello@solarschools.org.uk
How much does a school have to raise to install solar?
Each school sets their own target based on how much solar their roof can take and how much they think they can
fundraise. The aim of our project is to help schools raise money in new ways and from new audiences so we
encourage targets to be ambitious but realistic. On average, schools taking part have tripled their usual fundraising
ambition, with most raising between £10,000 and £15,000.
When installing solar, there are costs over and above those of the panels themselves (surveying, scaffolding, labour
etc) so, in general, we advise a minimum target of £8,000 to ensure plenty of panel for your pound!
I thought the government was helping schools go solar?
The UK government have made a commitment to helping as many schools as possible across England and Wales go
solar. To do that, they’ve produced guidance to schools suggesting different routes they might like to take –
including getting involved in the Solar Schools project!
Going forward, we’ll be encouraging the government to make it even simpler for schools to install their own
renewables. So, you can enjoy all of the carbon cutting, budget boosting, community building, educational benefits
of the Solar Schools project with a bit less of the behind the scenes action!
What commitment is needed from a school taking part?
Solar Schools brings huge benefits to a school and their community. But, as with anything - you get out what you
put in! We advise each school taking part to form a team of 3-5 individuals to drive the fundraising, ideally a mix
of staff and volunteers, supported by students. Having a PTA or ‘Friends of’ on board makes a big difference too.
Participants will be able to attend an initial regional training session and then liaise with us throughout the year.
All schools taking part in the project are asked to sign a contract designed to provide a clear agreement between all
parties involved.
Who installs the solar panels?
Part of what makes Solar Schools different from other solar projects is that schools purchase the panels outright,
from their own choice of installer. That means each school, along with the building owner, has complete control
over who carries out the installation. The majority of schools fundraise in the region of £10,000 - £15,000 and so
need to seek three quotes for the work in accordance with local authority guidelines.
We support schools by providing the resources and training they need to be savvy purchasers.
Who deals with ongoing maintenance of the panels?
Solar panels are very sturdy and designed to withstand extreme weather. As such, they usually require very little
maintenance beyond an occasional leaf sweep. The largest cost after installation is likely to be replacing the
inverter, part of the electrical system. These have a shorter life span than the panels and need replacing at a cost of
around £1,000 after approximately 10 years. Replacing an inverter is a simple job causing minimal disruption.
Solar installers offer different warranty periods, usually one to five years, and some offer insurance packages for an
additional cost. We recommend that schools set aside a small amount of their Feed-in Tariff revenue each year to
cover the cost of inverter replacement and any unexpected outgoings. Additionally, schools should contact their
building insurer to discuss including their panels in existing cover. The best way to ensure problems are spotted and
dealt with quickly is to install monitoring software that tracks efficiency and flags up any issues.
What if a school doesn’t hit their target?
We want all our Solar Schools to hit their fundraising target, but we know that life can get in the way! In the event
that a school doesn’t hit their target, they’re free to invest the money they have raised in other ‘greening’
measures. This may still be solar PV, but if not, we can help that school decide how to spend their money wisely
(LEDs, bike racks, energy monitors etc) and communicate this to their supporters. In our experience, donors trust a
school’s judgement.
Who helps with planning permission and general project management?
We’re here to offer guidance and support to help schools through the process. On top of that, the majority of solar
installers will include this in their quote. As part of the application process, we ask that schools seek the consent of
their building owner - whoever that may be - and in some cases they may want to play a role in this process.
More questions? Head to www.solarschools.org.uk/about or email hello@solarschools.org.uk