We’ve launched our crowd-funding! Check it out at https://www.spacehive.com/solar-for-alston-schools
2nd March 2019
Alston Moor Community Energy is raising funds to install solar panels on the roof of the schools in Alston. Both schools are small and together around 200 pupils share the building. The project has been designed to cut the schools’ energy costs, but will also be used to educate pupils on climate change, and reduce the school’s carbon footprint.
The smallest viable system will cost £22,000 whilst the largest the roof can hold will cost £35,000. We’ve already raised over £18,000 and we’re aiming to raise at least a further £4,500 from the wider community – the more we raise, the bigger the system we can fit, and the bigger the savings for the school. Every extra £250 we raise, will buy an additional solar panel.
Why it’s a great idea:
It will free up money to be spent on the pupils and the building. The project is estimated to save the schools between £1000 and £1,750 a year on energy; at least £20,000 in the next 20 years. This can be reinvested into other school improvements, or fund trips or materials. The income from the electricity generated will provide an extra £400 a year – more than is needed to cover the maintenance and insurance required.
It will help staff educate pupils about climate change and what can be done to tackle it. It can sometimes be difficult to make climate change relatable when teaching it as part of the curriculum. The scheme will provide a practical talking point for staff to educate the school’s pupils about climate change, and what can be done to tackle it.
It will reduce the school’s carbon footprint – The project is estimated to save between 4 to 9 tonnes of carbon emissions in its first year, with a total of between 78 and 166 tonnes saved over 20 years.
Financial support has been promised by;
The Postcode Local Trust, Alston Moor Parish Council, Alston Moor Business Association, Alston Moor Partnership.
February 2019
Our plans are nearly complete.
What we’ll deliver:
- 14 – 30Kw Solar PV system
- In school display of the energy being generated
- Appropriate signage to acknowledge funders
- Community launch and celebration event
October 2018
We’re in discussion with the headteacher and governors at SKS about installing solar PV panels on the school roof. The school would then buy the electricity from us at a cheaper price, reducing the school’s energy bills and its carbon footprint.
