- within Consumer Protection topic(s)
- in United Kingdom
Discover how school energy costs may be improved through the installation of solar panels.
Solar panels can offer a reliable, long-term energy solution for schools that may reduce their electricity bills, reduce carbon emissions and provide schools with an alternative income. There are two different approaches for solar panels:
- where the solar company installs solar panels on the school's roofs (or somewhere else) at their own cost. The energy would belong to the solar company, and they would then sell the energy to the school at a cheaper rate than standard energy providers.
- where the school pays for the cost of installing the solar panels on the roof (or elsewhere), in which case the school owns the energy created by the solar panels and can either use batteries to store or sell the surplus of energy to the grid. In this instance, there may be additional costs for installing batteries.
This is a financial investment for schools, but over the long term, they could benefit from lower energy bills and possibly gain a modest income. However, before embarking on a solar scheme, schools should obtain independent advice on their options and the potential benefits to their particular school, i.e. not rely on the pitch from a cold calling solar company. Schools should also seek independent legal advice on legal arrangements to ensure that the transaction is commercially prudent and to protect their interests.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
