Primary school gets an education in renewable energy

Walter Halls Primary & Early Years School in Mapperley, Nottingham, has had solar panels installed on the roof ahead of the Government’s cut to Feed in Tariffs (FiTs) as part of a scheme undertaken by Nottingham City Council. Intelligent Energy Solutions, based in Leicestershire, installed 40 solar panels , completing the work before the deadline of December 12^th 2011. 

The solar panels will generate around 8,000 kWH of electricity, which could save up to £1000 a year for the school. The new ‘green’ feature is something of a talking point and will help educate pupils about energy efficiency. By linking energy related issues directly to the curriculum, the school is educating future generations about the consequences their actions can have on the environment. 

The installation at Walter Halls is part of a Nottingham City Council project to install solar panels on buildings across the city on council buildings, including schools, leisure centres and offices. Intelligent Energy Solutions secured the job to install the panels after it was accepted onto the Council’s Commercial PV Framework. 

Peter Searancke, managing director, Intelligent Energy Solutions commented: “The installation at Walter Halls is our first through the Council’s new Framework and came at a very busy period for the company. We were up against a tight deadline but it has been an enjoyable project at a school that is committed to educating its pupils about the benefits of Solar PV and energy saving.” 

Councillor Alan Clark, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Energy, said: “Installing solar panels on commercial buildings is the latest example of the city wide approach to carbon reduction in Nottingham. This project follows the successful installation of solar panels on council houses and will further secure our position as the most energy self-sufficient city in the UK. We are assessing the impact of the proposed changes to FiTs and hope that we can continue this project in the New Year.”

Pete Strauss, headteacher, Walter Halls Primary & Early Years School added: “We’re delighted with the work that has been done at the school. Intelligent Energy Solutions has been diligent in their job and very safety-conscious with the schoolchildren on site. It is important that the children now see how effective the PV panels are for the school.” 

Intelligent Energy Solutions is currently installing a number of commercial scale installations, such as 105 PV panels at the development in Limehouse, London, which is due for completion on 22^nd December. 50 of the panels are being mounted onto the side elevation of the seven-storey building and the remaining 55 panels are being installed onto the flat roofs.

Picture Caption: (L-R) Peter Searancke, managing director, Intelligent Energy Solutions; Councillor Alan Clark, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Energy; Pete Strauss, headteacher, Walter Halls Primary & Early Years School and David Williams, commercial manager, Intelligent Energy Solutions. (Front) Schoolchildren from Walter Halls Primary & Early Years School in Mapperley.