In Calderdale, Colden Junior & Infant School’s pupils have started the new school term with solar panels providing clean, green, renewable electricity to power their learning.
The panels have been provided to the school by Pennine Community Power (PCP), with grant funding of £16,000 provided by the players of the Postcode Lottery Trust. Additional grant funding was provided by the Community Foundation for Calderdale, Friends of Colden School and Blackshaw Environmental Action Team (BEAT).
Local installer EcoHeat & Power Ltd installed the system over the summer holidays in time for the return to school.
The 10.71kW system has 42 REC panels and a display monitor in the hall so pupils can see how much electricity is being generated, this will also link to a display on the school website. The estimated annual generation is 9,489kWh saving 4,080kg of CO2.
PCP has also provided teaching resources and solar models for the pupils to use in class to learn about renewable energy, climate change and technology.
In October a Green Fair will be held to celebrate the launch of the PV panels.
Head Teacher, Ms Peberdy said, “Our new solar PV system is a fantastic addition to the school, both as a teaching resource for our pupils to learn about energy and how it is generated and used, and also to provide a valuable on-site asset to help release funds that would otherwise be spent on our electricity bill. PCP also provided teaching resources to help us communicate the sometimes complex issues of energy, climate change and resource use to our pupils in an exciting and engaging way.”
Postcode Local Trust exists to fund community groups and charitable organisations through a variety of grant giving programmes. To do so, the Trust relies solely on funding from the proceeds of tickets sales from People’s Postcode Lottery. When you sign up to play People’s Postcode Lottery, your postcode is your ticket. It costs £10 for 10 draws paid monthly in advance with prizes every day. A minimum of 27.5% goes directly to charities across Great Britain and internationally.
Pennine Community Power 