The Solar for Schools Community Benefit Society (CBS) is dedicated to enabling schools to access low-cost solar energy. This initiative provides schools with substantial savings on their energy bills, freeing up funds for other essential educational needs.

With over 150 rooftop solar installations under their belt so far,  the Triodos loan will accelerate the CBS's work to around 30 more schools.

Equip, empower, educate

The organisation’s mission goes beyond just energy savings; it aims to foster a deeper understanding of renewable energy, climate change, and sustainable living among students.

One of the standout features of Solar for Schools CBS is its commitment to education by working with Solar Options for Schools to deliver interactive, educational programs tailored for both primary and secondary students.

These programs are designed to integrate seamlessly with STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), providing students with hands-on learning experiences that are both engaging and informative.

“Engaging education is key here,” explains Robert Schrimpff, co-founder of Solar Options for Schools and voluntary director of the CBS. “Young people are custodians of the future, and they are great influencers. When young people ask me in schools 'What can we do to fight climate change?' I say: 'There are two billion young people in the world out of the eight billion total inhabitants on the planet. That means each of you need only to persuade two parents and one grandparent to make a real difference'.”

Inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and environmentalists

Churchfields Junior School had 350 rooftop solar panels commissioned in July this year, making up a 154kWP system. Since then, the school has saved 4 tonnes of CO2, equivalent savings to charging 300 electric vehicles, and the school has saved £5,000 in its energy bills.

As the system was funded by the Solar for Schools CBS, many of the school's 475 students have been educated on the project. The students have had a chance to ask questions about how solar works, its role as we decarbonise as a society, and how they can do more at home to spread the word. 

The partnership with Triodos was marked during a workshop at the school in East London in September. Triodos representatives Dinkar Suri and Ellie James met 30 students from Years 3 to 6, all members of the school’s Eco Committee. The group experimented with a ‘Solar Explorer Kit’ and showcased other measures that the school is taking to reduce its carbon footprint. 

“With solar panels hidden on the roof, pupils could easily come to school without noticing them," says James Easter, deputy head at Churchfields Junior School. "The education work helps to deliver a lasting legacy in the school and community. These pupils will go on to be ambassadors for sustainability, educating their friends and families and leading to further improvements in the school."

A community approach

As the CBS is governed by the school members themselves, any surplus from solar energy generated across the community is shared with the schools. Schools pay only for the solar electricity they use at a pre-agreed unit price, lower than their mains electricity price, therefore providing additional security against volatile energy prices. These prices are fixed for the lifetime of the solar panels, at 25 years, rising only with inflation.

This stability is particularly crucial in the current economic climate, where energy costs are a growing concern for many institutions. It also supports local authorities in achieving their net zero targets.

A powerful partnership

The partnership with Triodos Bank UK is a testament to the bank’s commitment to financing projects that have a positive social and environmental impact.

Robert Schrimpff explains why this partnership is key to helping the programme grow: “There are nearly 25,000 schools in the UK alone, requiring about £2b to install solar on all sensible roofs. But individually, these schools are far too small to attract low-cost project finance.

"Creating a funding structure that addresses the needs and limitations of each school, the councils and the Department for Education, while meeting the strict requirements of institutional lenders is therefore key to unlocking solar across the educational estate. Getting Triodos onboard is a vital milestone in proving that we have created such a structure. It will enable more funders to support schools with confidence. We can now focus on replicating this structure for church-owned schools, larger councils and other community energy groups to enable thousands of schools to go solar."