Advice and support

Install a renewable energy source at your school

Renewable energy can be a cost effective and environmentally friendly way to generate energy. Individual buildings are increasingly looking at ways to generate their own power.

Installing a renewable energy source is a large-scale project. It should be carried out in conjunction with energy saving and efficiency measures around your school.

Solar - Photovoltaic

• converts energy from daylight into electricity; available to fit onto roofs (as panels or tiles) and walls
• typical 5kwp system will produce 5000 kWh /year (up to 30 per cent CO2 emissions)

You can view arrays installed in the following schools:

• Borough and Bankside, Charles Dickens, Notre Dame, Charlotte Sharman
• Dulwich, Herne Hill School, Goodrich Primary, The Charter
• Walworth, First Place Nursery, St Peter's, Crampton, St John's

Solar - thermal heaters

• solar power is used to heat water for showers, warm up tap water etc
• CO₂ savings are limited by the demand for hot water

Wind turbine

• free standing (6 to 20 kW, saving up to 30 per cent CO₂  emissions) and building mounted (1 to 2.5 kW - saving up to 20% CO₂ emissions) turbines are the most appropriate for generating electricity for schools
• average wind speed of 4.5ms is required (planning permission is often needed)

Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP)

• sources heat from the ground using either a shallow laid coil or a deep bore
• need to have space to lay coil; a GSHP is most cost effective if built as part of a new building when integrated into pillared foundations
• can replace fossil fuel as energy to heat building (saving up to 20% CO₂ emissions); electricity is required to power pump, the system is truly renewable if this is generated renewably

Biomass

• a boiler that generates heat from organic matter; this is carbon neutral because emissions are offset by continually growing fuel; replaces fossil fuel boiler, saving up to 50% CO₂ emissions
• need storage space for fuel (pellets or wood chips) and access for vehicles to deliver fuel (preferably from a local source)

Combined Heat and Power (CHP)

Using Natural Gas or bio-diesel to generate electricity. Heat produced is then used for central heating or hot water. 1kW of power creates 2kW usable heat.

Integration into teaching

The London Schools Hydrogen Challenge provides an interactive programme for KS3 students.

Energy efficiency case study

Notre Dame secondary school (Borough and Bankside) have lighting sensors, an external lighting solar dial timer, heating pipe insulation and improved heating controls. These are all supplied through a corporate carbon offsetting partnership.

Funding through Feed in Tariffs

Under the Feed-in-Tariff (FITs) scheme, energy suppliers make regular payments to those who generate their own electricity from renewable sources such as solar electricity (PV) panels. The scheme guarantees a minimum payment for all electricity generated by the system, as well as a separate payment for the electricity exported to the grid. These payments are in addition to the fuel bill savings made by using the electricity generated on-site.

Many companies are currently offering to install solar panels in schools for free or with minimal funding with the condition that the company installing the panels will receive all or a proportion of the Feed in Tariff. The host building would receive free or reduced cost energy generated from the panels.

Schools should proceed carefully when considering offers that involve long term contracts. The principles of ensuring that your school is getting 'best value' for any deal applies and an assessment of the range of deals on offer should be completed. 

Schools may also consider financing panels themselves if they can, which would make them the sole beneficiary of Feed In Tariffs. 

Schools may need approval from the land/building owner to install the panels (usually Southwark Council), and planning permission may be necessary.

Page last updated: 16 September 2021