Solar PV for Schools – Go Solar with Spirit!

Install solar panels on your school with minimal upfront cost.

Cut your electricity bills, cut your carbon footprint and create a better world for our children.

Case Study: Southfield School

In August 2011, Spirit Solar commissioned a 9.8 kWp solar PV system at Southfield Junior School in Swindon.

 

The system is expected to generate 7809 kWh per year, saving 4.435 tonnes of CO₂ each year and giving savings / income of £1300 per year.

 

A system of this size costs in the region of £X, giving a payback time of under 10 years, and a further 15 years to enjoy the benefits of the Feed-in Tariff and FREE electricity.

Nicola Anderton, Deputy Head Teacher said:

"We believe that schools need to lead the way on environmental issues. Southfield School is an eco-friendly school and this project is helping us toward our silver award. We were very impressed with how incredibly tidy and efficient the installation team was. The school is chuffed to bits with the installation."

 

To download the full case study, please click here Dowload PDF Case Study

 

Case Study: Woodhouse College

In December 2011, Spirit Solar commissioned a 16.45kWp solar PV system at Woodhouse 6th Form College in Barnet London. The system is mounted on the roof of the main college.

The system is expected to generate 14,979kWh per year, saving 8.5 tonnes of CO₂ each year. If it was installed today it would give annual savings / income of £3469.

A system of this size costs in the region of £X, giving a payback time of under 10 years, and a further 15 years to enjoy the benefit of the Feed-in Tariff and Free electricity.

Carol Kirkland, the Head Teacher, said "As a 6th Form College for young people, Woodhouse College wants to set the right environmental example. We chose Spirit Solar after going out to tender and were not disappointed. At what turned out to be a very stressful time for all concerned the team were quick to respond and provided all the help necessary for us to meet the revised Government deadlines. The installation team worked around our students, nothing being too much trouble for the team leader".

Why go solar?

It makes financial sense

• Under the government backed "Feed In Tariff" your school can earn up to 21.0p for every kWh your system generates. This tariff is guaranteed for 25 years.
• The return on investment from a solar electricity system is over 10% per annum over 25 years.
• In addition to the 21.0p the school can use the energy generated for FREE, slashing electricity bills and protecting against rising electricity costs.
• If the school doesn't use the electricity (eg in the summer holiday), the electricity will be exported back to the grid, and the school will receive an additional payment of 3.1p per kWh.

It's educational and it's good for the environment

• Cut your school's carbon footprint and create a better environment for future generations.
• Bring solar into the lives of children and teach them about solar energy. Under the Go Solar with Spirit! scheme you will receive a large format electronic display so that pupils can see real time data on how the system is performing. You will also have access to lesson plans about climate change and low carbon technologies.

System Position, Size and Indicative Costs

Solar photovoltaic systems can be installed on flat roofs, sloping roofs, or on a ground mounted "A frame". The ideal location is south facing; however any orientation from east to west, through south will produce a good financial return on investment. The panels should if possible be unshaded, although some shading is acceptable.

School systems usually start from 4kWp (around 17 panels, requiring a roof space of around 30m²) and go up from there, a typical system being 10kWp (42 panels, requiring a roof space of 75m²). A large system would be 100kWp. Some schools are interested in having a small 1kWp "demonstration system" to show pupils. The minimum budget for a demonstration system would be around £8,000. Systems can cost anything from the minimum budget, up to around £500,000 depending on size.

And you can teach all the children in your school about solar energy!

Example

For sample returns analysis, please click on the following links:

Sample returns analysis 4kWp system

Sample returns analysis 10kWp system

Sample returns analysis 25kWp system

Sample returns analysis 50kWp system

Can you afford not to?