Two major education sites in Coventry are set to slash their energy bills and carbon emissions thanks to a £700,000 investment in solar panels.
Coventry College and Sidney Stringer Academy will see up to 90% of their energy needs powered by renewables under plans funded through the Mayoral Renewables Fund, part of Great British Energy’s Local Power Plan.
The funding, secured by West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker alongside WMCA and Coventry City Council, will support the city’s Net Zero Neighbourhood programme in Hillfields.
Richard Parker said: “The action we’re taking at Coventry College and Sidney Stringer Academy to cut their energy bills will free up thousands of pounds that can go straight back into teaching and supporting our young people.”
The solar installation is part of a wider low-carbon transformation in the area, which includes plans to expand the local heat network to drive down bills even further.
Andrew Walls, vice principal at Sidney Stringer Academy Trust, said: “We can now generate a huge share of our electricity from solar energy. It will significantly lower our energy costs so more finance can go to frontline education.”
Coventry College will also deliver solar training programmes as part of the project. Vice principal Gemma Knott said: “This will help us cut our overheads and train the next generation of solar installers.”
The West Midlands Combined Authority is rolling out a £200 million programme to decarbonise schools, homes and public buildings as part of its 2041 net zero goal.
Coventry schools get £700k green upgrade appeared first on Energy Live News.