The first 11 schools in England have installed solar panels through the government-backed Great British Energy initiative, resulting in annual savings of £175,000.
These savings will be reinvested directly into schools, supporting education while also delivering cleaner energy.
The solar rollout is part of the government’s £180 million fund aimed at cutting energy bills for both schools and hospitals. Under this plan, £80 million will support around 200 schools across England, while £100 million will fund installations at nearly 200 NHS sites, covering about one-third of NHS trusts.
Great British Energy, a publicly owned energy company launched to accelerate the UK’s transition to clean power, is leading the rooftop solar initiative. This marks its first major project, promising lifetime savings of up to £400 million for schools and the NHS over the next 30 years.
The remaining schools set to benefit from the scheme will be announced this summer, with all installations expected to be complete by the end of the year.
Helping schools and hospitals cope with energy costs
Soaring energy prices in recent years have hit public services hard, consuming school budgets and increasing costs to taxpayers. This has been driven largely by the UK’s reliance on volatile global fossil fuel markets.
By switching to rooftop solar, schools and hospitals can generate their own electricity, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and even sell excess energy back to the grid. The initiative targets communities in deprived areas and aims to invest millions back into frontline services.
Leaders welcome the move
Energy Minister Michael Shanks said:
“Solar panels on school rooftops mean energy bills are cut and money can be invested directly into improving young people’s education while helping to tackle climate change for the next generation.
Great British Energy is delivering rooftop solar as part of our Plan for Change that will support communities for generations to come, relieving pressures on our vital public services and ensuring investment is made in the future of our young people”.
Great British Energy Chair Juergen Maier said:
“Within 2 months we are seeing schools supported by our scheme having solar panels installed so they can start reaping the rewards of clean energy – opening up the opportunity for more money to be spent on our children rather than energy bills.
By partnering with the public sector as we scale up the company, we will continue to make an immediate impact as we work to roll out clean, homegrown energy projects, crowd in investment and create job opportunities across the country”.
Education Minister Stephen Morgan said:
“Through our Plan for Change, this government is supporting schools to save schools thousands on their bills so they can reinvest money saved into ensuring every child gets the best start in life.
The installation of solar panels will also help pupils to develop green skills, promoting careers in renewables and supporting growth in the clean energy workforce”.
The path ahead
Currently, only about 20% of schools have solar panels installed. However, estimates suggest that an average school could save up to £25,000 a year with solar panels and battery storage systems in place.
This initiative is part of the government’s broader Plan for Change, aimed at rebuilding public services and ensuring local communities benefit from the transition to clean, secure, homegrown energy. Photo by Fernando Tomás from Zaragoza, Spain, Wikimedia commons.