Hundreds more schools across England are set to slash their energy bills through government-funded solar panels, freeing up millions of pounds to reinvest in children’s education.
The Department for Education announced today (Thursday 16 July) that 100 additional schools and colleges will join the Great British Energy Solar Partnership, backed by up to £40 million from government. A further 150 institutions across Yorkshire & Humber, the East Midlands and the South East will pilot a new private-sector model, with companies installing and maintaining high-quality panels at no upfront cost.
It comes after 245 schools and colleges already received government-funded solar panels, with total estimated savings of £220 million over their lifetime.
Secondary schools that have installed solar panels alongside LED lighting upgrades are saving £58,600 a year, while primaries are cutting bills by £21,000 annually – money that goes straight back into teaching and classroom resources.
Under the new private pilot, schools and colleges will pay nothing upfront. Private firms will fund, install, own and maintain the panels, and schools will simply buy the electricity generated at a rate significantly cheaper than their normal tariff. The pilot is expected to pave the way for every school and college in England to access privately funded solar from next year, with a national rollout planned for 2027-28.
One early beneficiary, LIFT Feversham School in Yorkshire, saved around £23,000 on energy bills in its first year after installing panels alongside other efficiency measures.
Principal Naveed Idrees said: ‘Far from being a bolt on, the Great British Energy Solar Partnership programme became a core part of our spiritual, social and moral curriculum. It has brought the curriculum to life, created capacity to engage the community and changed mindsets for life. And did I mention the financial savings!’
The government says the expansion builds on wider support to help schools manage energy costs, giving them greater certainty over bills and protecting budgets that can be spent on pupils.
CEO and Founder of Solar Options for Schools, Robert Schrimpff said: ‘We’ve been working with schools and the Department for Education for a decade, so the launch of this new solar PPA pilot, is a significant step.
‘It should unlock public and private sector in a way that will make it easier for schools to access all the benefits of having solar power.
‘These benefits should include lower electricity costs, no long-term monitoring and maintenance costs, operational peace of mind, and support to inspire education that builds on sustainability skills that will help shape the future. Where this can be combined with community ownership, this is incredibly powerful.’