Solar4Schools is a all-round fabulous idea.
It is a UK government-led initiative that installs solar PV panels on UK school roofs. 50 schools are now installed. Schools use clean energy, and save operating costs. Kids learn first-hand about renewable energy. Solar entrepreneurship is stimulated, perhaps even creating an exportable success story. It's a appropriate-sized pilot programme for wider public sector building solar deployment. And, most schools receive the panels at no installation cost.
Thumbs up for strong government policy. Politicians of other countries take note.
The UK Government launched a 50 million pound Low Carbon Buildings Programme, website, to simulate 'green buildings'. Phase I of the programme related to consumer incentives for residential buildings, and phase II targets schools (solar4schools.co.uk), and offers to pay 50% of installation costs. Under Solar4Schools, each installation costs £20,000 - of which the government provides grant financing of £10,000. The remaining £10,000 is financed either by grant, through a £1m charitable fund created by Cooperative Bank (100 schools, £10,000 each) or Barclaycard £50,000 (5 schools, £10,000 each), or by 3-5 year lease arrangement via Quartz Finance.
Solar4Schools is a partnership between Solarcentury (a solar PV manufacturer and installer, venture capital funded, with award award award winning technology ... corporate profile) and Scottish and Southern Energy (a large UK utility company). How scheme works.
Solar power for schools is a great idea - after all, unlike houses, schools generally have more roof space so more space for larger solar systems (although obviously they also use more energy than most homes). State schools frequently could use additional income support and solar pv provides effortless income. On top of all that, it's practical, hands-on education for the pupils.
Posted by: Solar Panels | January 13, 2011 at 07:45 AM