The scheme aims to prove ‘benefits of local solar generation’, making electricity more affordable for the community with the hope of triggering policy change.
E.ON Next’s pilot has launched in Canning Town, East London, where 221 solar panels have been installed at St Luke’s CEVA Primary School, giving the campus access to discounted electricity.
Neighbouring buildings are also prioritised for a proportion of the power generated, which also retails are a lower price compared to market value. The remainder is distributed via the National Grid.
‘This exciting partnership with E.ON partners perfectly with the original trust deed for the school of over 150 years which relates to serving the community,’ Matt Hipperson, Headteacher at St Luke’s CEVA Primary School, told an audience at the launch event on Friday 28th November. ‘The solar panels, alongside E.ON’s technical expertise allows us to use our large roof to help reduce electricity bills for the community we serve.’
The solar installation will be capable of generating 92,000kWh per year, enough to power 34 homes and more than half of the school’s total energy needs. It is predicted that by using this electricity, St Luke’s could save £6,500 from its annual utility costs.
Combined, the UK’s primary school estate could generate 117GW of low carbon electricity through the E.ON Next approach, offering significant savings for campus management and surrounding residents. However, E.ON has warned existing regulations would prevent the roll-out of such schemes at a local, regional or national level.
According to a spokesperson for the company, the government should remove social and environmental levies currently applied to energy sharing agreements, meaning more communities would explore and exploit the potential of clean energy projects like St Luke’s. This type of legislative change has taken place in Spain and Portugal, removing transmission fees to deliver savings of up to 40%.
Image: E.ON / St Luke’s
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