Great British Energy Launches Initial Solar Panel Rollout Across UK Schools

A school in Yorkshire is making headlines as one of the very first across the country to install new solar panels, part of a sweeping national effort to cut energy costs at schools and hospitals. Feversham Primary Academy, located in Bradford, is set to save up to £13,000 annually on its energy bills, savings that will be funnelled directly back into the school’s resources and programs.

This installation places Feversham at the forefront of Great British Energy’s ambitious rooftop solar rollout, a £180 million government-backed initiative aimed at boosting clean energy use in public buildings. In March, Bradford Council gave the green light for a 54.74kWp solar array to be mounted on Feversham’s roof, marking the school as one of 11 early adopters leading this pioneering wave of solar projects. The complete list of participating schools will be revealed later this summer.

The government’s recent announcement of £180 million in funding for solar installations at schools and hospitals has been hailed as a significant milestone. Great British Energy, which is spearheading this campaign, highlights that only around 20% of schools currently have solar panels installed. The potential for savings is significant, and estimates suggest that a typical school equipped with solar panels and complementary technologies, such as battery storage, could reduce energy costs by up to £25,000 per year.

Great British Energy Chair Juergen Maier said: “Within two 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.”