Generating Electricity from Solar PV
In March of 2010, we became the first school in Essex and one of only a few junior schools in the United Kingdom to successfully introduce a Solar PV system or to give them their right name; Photo-Voltaic solar panels.
In October 2007, the board of Governors agreed to explore the idea of moving the school towards energy self-sufficiency and to reducing the schools Carbon Footprint. After exhaustive research and consultation with our microgeneration expert, Solar Green, it was deemed appropriate for the school to work towards a solar PV system - converting solar energy into electricity.
After much consultation and hundreds of hours of planning by the Governor responsible for managing the project, the school secured a 50% grant from BERR - the government body responsible for the Low Carbon Buildings Project.
Match funding proved to be a more difficult challenge and additional funding took another 20-months to finalise. The funds were eventually made available and the project could be completed. Within a single 5-day working week, Solar Green beat all previous installation records and completed the 7kW, 38-panel array (pictured above).
It is now generating electricity and every second, we're reducing our carbon footprint. It is best viewed from the playground and is situated on the pitched roof (above the school hall). The two inverters (turning sunlight into useable energy) have meters recording the electricity generated every day.
For more information on the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (Phase 2) -
click here.
For more information on the excellent Solar Green Limited team -
click here.
To "get your head around" Solar PV - please read 'Solar PV Explained' by
clicking here.