Live digital displays in schools will show pupils real-time data on energy generation, carbon offset totals, and financial savings(Image: East Riding Council)
Three East Riding schools have cut their energy bills and reduced their carbon footprint thanks to the installation of new solar panels. Withernsea High School, alongside Kingsway Primary and Marshlands Primary in Goole, now have solar arrays installed on their roofs.
The improvements are thanks to a £218,000 grant from the Department for Education. East Riding Of Yorkshire Council was awarded the highest amount of any local authority in the country for the project.
The solar panels are expected to save approximately £71,000 in energy bills each year. The authority estimates the panels across all three school sites will help cut carbon emissions by 75,000kg annually.
Beyond financial savings, the installations serve an educational purpose too. Live digital displays in the schools show pupils real-time data on energy generation, carbon offset totals, and financial savings. In addition, Withernsea High School has been fitted with new charging stations capable of powering four electric vehicles.
The installation is having a particularly positive impact following a warm summer and sunny September, said Cllr Victoria Aitken, East Riding Council Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education.
“I’m delighted that three of our schools now have the benefit of solar power – reducing costs for the schools and decreasing carbon emissions,” she said.
“The installations follow the completion of solar carports at our leisure sites, vehicle depots, the Treasure House roof, and roofs of over 300 council-owned homes.”
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Cllr Aitken said the climate science behind the solar panels could have a transformational impact in the local area. “The cost savings benefit every child, as each school can now reinvest these savings within the curriculum,” she said.
“Pupils can see how renewable energy helps tackle climate change and deliver a sustainable future. The project will also help inspire children and young people to become the innovators, engineers, and environmental leaders of tomorrow.”
Future-facing technology
The initiative forms part of a broader push to reduce carbon emissions across East Riding schools. Mark Crofts, Headteacher at Withernsea High School, said staff, pupils, and parents have warmly welcomed the upgrade.
“At a time when school funding is more challenging than ever, this initiative is helping us to save money while driving something that is critically important for our children’s futures,” he said.
As part of the scheme, smart energy management systems have allowed the to improve its energy efficiency, Mr Crofts explained.
“Using Energy Sparks to monitor our energy usage has helped us to drive a ‘switch-off’ campaign over the summer, which achieved a 19.2% reduction in electricity usage compared with last summer,” he added.
East Riding Council measures carbon emissions across all school and corporate sites as part of national targets to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
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