100 schools receive Great British Energy solar panels

One hundred schools and colleges have now installed their Great British Energy-funded solar panels, with 250 schools due to have their installations completed by summer.

Schools and colleges in areas of deprivation in the North East, West Midlands and North West were prioritised.

Around 250 schools and colleges are set to save up to a combined £220 million over the lifetime of the solar panels.

Great British Energy and government are investing up to £255 million in total to install solar and complementary technologies, including batteries, on around 250 schools and colleges, around 260 NHS sites and multiple military sites. This is estimated to save up to £520 million across schools and NHS sites alone. 

Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband said: "Great British Energy has now helped 100 schools and colleges to save money on bills, meaning more money for textbooks and technology.   

"Across the country, solar panels are going up on rooftops to power classrooms with clean, homegrown power. 
  
"This is our clean energy mission in action, protecting our public services with lower bills and energy security."

Great British Energy’s CEO, Dan McGrail said: "Great British Energy is delivering affordable, clean power where it matters. 

"Reaching 100 schools is an important milestone in our mission to cut energy bills and means more money can be spent on education.  

"Our Local Power Plan will build on this success so that by 2030, every community in the UK will have the opportunity to own and benefit from a local energy project."