Two schools in Kingston will now benefit from brand new solar panel systems on top of their buildings.

Kingston Council successfully secured £87,925 from the Mayor of London's Renewable Energy Fund to fully cover the cost of new solar panel systems for Surbiton Nursery School and Maple Infants School.

The new systems will enable the schools to generate their own clean and renewable energy to help power their buildings, not only championing local efforts to tackle climate change, but also benefiting from cheaper, on-going energy costs.

Councillor Ian Manders, portfolio holder for climate action, biodiversity and planning policy said: "It's great to see Surbiton Hill and Maple Infants School embracing green energy for their estates. 

"Not only are they helping to reduce the amount of climate changing emissions in the borough, they are inspiring young people by demonstrating practical action that can help protect the environment for their futures."

Surbiton Hill Nursery school will receive a 35 kilowatt-peak (kWp) system with 70 panels, and Maple Infants School will have a 50kWp system made up of 102 solar panels. 

In total, this is the same amount of electricity that would be needed to power around 22 average homes in the UK, while also avoiding around 13 tonnes of CO2 each year.

The solar panels are expected to save the schools a combined total of up to £17,000 on their energy bills each year.

advertisement

Ed Baughn, Head of Solar, Joju Solar said: "We are absolutely delighted to be working with the team at Kingston Council, and Energy4All, on the provision of solar PV installations for Greener Schools.

"Installing solar panels on schools is an effective way of reducing running costs, while simultaneously acting as a hands-on educational resource for engaging students with sustainability and it's a pleasure to be helping the Council and these schools power their studies with solar!"

The schools will also be given support to install new smart meters and export meters to better monitor their energy usage while maximising the benefits of exporting surplus energy back to the National Grid.

Kingston Council says it continues to look for further funding opportunities to help support the local area move toward a greener future for everyone.

You can find out more about the council's work to help tackle climate change by visiting its website.