Powering Knowledge

Solar for Schools

“Powering Knowledge” is an initiative founded by the British Photovoltaic Association (BPVA) to provide solar energy systems to the UK education sector, offering flexible financial solutions for solar projects on school rooftops. Through Powering Knowledge you can access the best installers and funding solutions. Every school has the potential to generate its own renewable energy, and with the considerable amount of roof space available, solar PV electricity is among the most suitable choices.

Installing solar PV systems in schools not only brings financial and environmental benefits, but also creates an opportunity for students to develop and enhance their knowledge of solar energy.

In partnership with BPVA we are able to offer schools across the UK the opportunity to install and benefit from solar PV systems, which will help schools to reduce energy bills and spend more money on education as well as reducing carbon emissions and make UK schools “Greener”.

We have teamed up with a number of leading funding partners to offer an affordable and flexible Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Our solution enables schools to install solar PV systems with no upfront cost to the school or local authority eliminating the need to borrow money. Powering Knowledge helps schools to install a solar rooftop from an accredited and approved installer so schools can start saving money immediately.

Through the BPVA or Rated Solar Installer, schools can choose the best quality solar PV systems installed by approved installers.

Amber Rudd MP, Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change commented:  

“Solar can not only help schools to take control of their energy bills but is also a wonderful way of engaging pupils, teachers and parents around helping the environment too. Earlier this year, my Department announced a new initiative to encourage England and Wales’ 22,000 schools to fit solar panels and cut a cumulative energy spend of around £500 million. The BPVA’s Powering Knowledge campaign will ensure even more schools know about the benefits of installing solar and I welcome today’s announcement.”  

The Department for Education (DfE) and the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) are supporting the installation of Solar on school rooftops and produced a leaflet “Power to the Pupils”, providing useful information and tips.

Please click here to download the Powering Knowledge leaflet. 

Reduce electricity bills

Schools spend hundreds of million of pounds on energy bills every year. Depending on the size of the solar PV installation, schools can make significant savings. This allows them to spend more money on educational programmes rather than energy bills.

Revenue generation

The government pays you to go solar. If a school buys their system, solar PV will generate a steady income stream for 20 years. Please check the Ofgem website for current tariff rates here.

Reducing CO₂ emissions

Going solar enables schools to join the combat against climate change by reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. A medium-sized 25kW system can be reasonably expected to mitigate several tonnes of CO2 every year.

Education and engagement

With a solar PV installation on school premises, educational opportunities are created by communicating the advantages of sustainability through a working example. It enables direct engagement for pupils in science subjects, technology, design, geography and IT. This can also inspire the wider community to take action against climate change.

Criteria for installing on school buildings

Self-finance

Schools can purchase their solar PV system, if their budget allows it. However, if spare cash is needed for other things, it may be wiser to go for one of our funding options.

Solar Power Purchase Agreement (Solar PPA)

This is an agreement between the school and one of our approved funding partners whereby the funding partner installs, owns and operates the solar PV system for FREE. The school can buy any power produced by the system at a fixed price of 5.0 to 6.5 pence per kWh. The Solar PPA term is 20-25 years and the funder typically guarentees to remove the system from the school roof after this period, or you may want to consider an extension.

A Solar PPA is the most convenient way of switching to 'green' energy. Solar power will reduce your electricty cost, while lowering your carbon footprint.

• Fix the electricity price (exclusive of tax) for electricity generated by the system and consumed at your school at a set unit rate of 5.0 to 6.5 pence per kWh subject to RPI.
• Install, maintain and insyre the system at no cost to the school
• Provide an energy monitoring service so you can view the performance of the system and your energy savings.
• The agreement is for 20-25 years. After that you may renew the agreement for up to ten years in two or five year increments. There is also the option buy fully, or extend further.
• You may terminate the agreement by giving 6 months notice after 5 years and paying a fair market value of the system.
• On the expiry date of the agreement, the system will either be removed at no cost to the school, keep it by paying a small fee or enter into a new maintenance agreement.

The new children's book Smork in Suntown, published by SMA Solar UK Ltd with support of the BPVA and in association with Rated Solar Installer and Powering Knowledge, educates children about solar PV and empowers them to become active advocates of renewable energy. 

Smork in Suntown represents a fresh approach to delivering facts about solar technology to children, and can be used as an educational tool by schools to capture their interest in topics including climate change and sustainability.

What is Smork in Suntown about? When curious 5 year old Betty asks what fossil fuels and global warming are, she gets a surprise visit from Smork who takes Betty and her family on a wonderful tour of how the sun can be used to make electricity.

To dowload the book, please click here.

For more information, book orders and activities, please click on the banner below.

What are photovoltaics (PV)?
The word itself helps to explain how photovoltaics (PV) or solar electric technologies work. First used in about 1890, the word has two parts; ‘photo’ derived from the Greek for light, and ‘volt’, a measurement unit named for Alessandro Volta (1745-1827), a pioneer in the study of electricity. So PV could literally be translated into light electricity and that just what PV materials do; they convert light into energy.

How do we get electricity from the sun?
When certain semi-conducting materials, such as kinds of silicone, are exposed to sunlight, they release small amounts of electricity. This process is known as the ‘photoelectric’ effect. The photoelectric effect refers to the emission, or ejection, of electrons from the surface of a metal in response to light. It is this basic process that a PV cell uses to convert light into electricity.

Do solar panels work without direct sun?
Yes. Solar panels are now a well-developed technology, which work off solar radiation. Direct sunlight is not required, although orientation does affect performance. Even on cloudy days, there is normally enough so-called ‘diffuse’ light for the panels to produce electricity.

Won’t the installation process be disruptive to our school?
No. Most installations will be completed within 3-5 days and there is often very little need for work inside your building that would cause any disruption to your normal teaching day. You should expect everyone to take an interest in your installation though, it’s an exciting change to your building, so be prepared to answer questions!

Does my building need to meet a certain energy efficiency requirement?
Yes. Normally your building must achieve an Energy Performance Rating of D or higher in order for finance company to claim the Feed-in Tariff. The solar PV system we propose can be included in this assessment, so even if you have a rating of E or lower at present, a solar PV system may help bring you up to a D rating. Our installer will carry out an EPC assessment free of charge if required.

Is my roof strong enough for solar panels?
The installed weight of solar panels is typically between 14-15kg / m2 including mounting equipment. This minimal additional loading rarely causes structural issues, but to be certain we undertake a structural survey on every building ahead of the installation.

Will our roof leak?
Our approved installers follow industry standard methodologies and tried and tested products to minimise any risk of damage to roofs. The installation warranty and long term Operation & Maintenance contract we provide covers any problems that arise after installation. We also work with roofing manufacturers to ensure that our installations do not compromise existing warranties.

How much maintenance do solar panels need?
Solar panels have no moving parts and need very little maintenance at all. 

Can you fix solar PV panels to any roof?
There are a wide variety of fixing solutions that allow installation of solar PV to most roofs, including flat roofs. Pitched roofs should face between South East and South West and all roofs should be free of shading and structurally sound.

Do I need planning permission?
Unless your building is listed, or in a conservation area, planning permission for the installation of solar PV panels is not normally required. We will be able to confirm for you whether your building requires any planning consent.

Do I need to inform Building Control about the installation of a solar PV system?
Yes. We would liaise with Building Control and outline the planned installation in conjunction with the undertaking of a structural survey.

Are solar PV systems noisy?
Solar PV systems have no moving parts and so do not produce any sound.

How much carbon can I expect to offset through installing a solar PV system?
A 50kWp solar PV system in the south of the UK generates sufficient zero-carbon electricity to off-set approximately 25 tonnes of CO2 each year. That’s the equivalent to the average annual carbon emissions from the electricity of 12 homes.

What is a kWh?
A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit of electrical energy. 1 kWh is identical to 1 unit of electricity that is shown on your electricity bill. An electrical item having a power rating of 1kW will consume 1kWh for every hour it is operating at full power.

There is a legal charge on the property. Do I have to tell the bank and will they approve the installation?
Yes. You must consult with any lender who has a legal charge over the property before agreeing to install one of our solar PV systems, but in our experience most lenders are familiar with these systems and understand what’s involved.

What if we want to extend or develop our building?
If your development plans necessitate the removal of the solar PV system, we will agree with you a period of time during which you are free to undertake the work, on the basis that the solar PV system is re-instated afterwards.

What happens if we don’t use all the electricity the solar PV system generates?
At times of peak generation, if you do not have sufficient demand on-site, the excess power is exported to the national grid. Equally, when the PV system is generating less than your total demand, the shortfall is made up through importing from the national grid. Depending on the size of your roof and your electricity demand, you might expect a solar PV system to generate approximately 20% of your total annual demand.

How will this system affect my insurance costs and cover?
No. We insure the solar PV equipment itself.

What if we have a fire, natural disaster or the system is vandalised?
We have all risks insurance which will cover any damage to the system that results from such an event.

How can I be sure that we will be charged accurately for the solar electricity we use?
Our remote monitoring meters are fully accredited (MID Class 1 & Ofgem approved) products that record consumption down to very narrow tolerances. All our clients have access to the live generation data so they can see exactly what has been generated, how much has been consumed on site and what the charge for the electricity will be.

What if we want to buy the PV system and receive the Feed-in Tariff ourselves?
We can provide you with the costs of buying or leasing a solar PV system in order that you are able to fully evaluate all potential options which are available to you, and therefore make the right decision for your school, college or university.

What is a Solar PPA (Power Purchase Agreement)?
A Solar PPA is a power purchase agreement provided by your chosen solar power developer. It is a simple way of switching to a low cost clean electricity supply, with no up-front or maintenance cost incurred by your school.

• Your chosen developer will install, own and maintain the system on your roof for free; you will
• only pay for the electricity you use each month, at a mutually agreed rate. Any electricity you don’t consume we sell into the grid.
• The Solar PPA works in parallel with your existing electricity supply arrangements – there is no need to change anything as you will continue to buy electricity above what the solar system supplies to you.
• The Solar PPA term is typically 20 years; your chosen solar developer should guarantee to remove the system from your roof after this. Alternatively you can choose to extend your Solar PPA and it will be removed it at the end of the extended term.

What would be my electricity bill after installing the solar PV system?
You could save between 25% - 50% off your current energy costs. This exact saving will be depend on the size and suitability of your roof areas and current energy price.

Who is the company offering the finance?
Rated Solar Installer will pre-qualify the best solar developers in the UK to ensure your school receives quality propositions from financially accredited companies.