Pupils across England are set to benefit from more funding for textbooks and teaching as Great British Energy’s nationwide solar rollout helps schools cut energy costs.
As part of an expanded scheme to install solar panels on NHS sites, military bases, and schools, more than 250 schools have signed agreements to share up to £100 million in funding from Great British Energy and the UK Government. This investment will deliver new solar panels and energy efficiency upgrades, reducing reliance on costly fossil fuels.
Already, 23 schools – from Notre Dame RC School in Plymouth to Christ The King RC Primary in Manchester – have installed solar panels, saving thousands on energy bills. These savings are being reinvested into vital school services, supporting the government’s mission to become a clean energy superpower and strengthen local communities.
The initiative targets schools in areas most in need, including the North East, West Midlands and North West, with at least 10 schools in every English region. Each region will also include a further education college to promote careers in renewables through work placements, skills bootcamps and workshops – boosting the green workforce.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks said:
“Great British Energy is helping schools to save money on bills, meaning more money for textbooks and technology.
“Across the country, solar panels are going up on rooftops to power classrooms with clean, homegrown power.
“This is our clean energy superpower mission in action, protecting our public services with lower bills and energy security.”
This rollout aligns with the government’s School Rebuilding Programme, ensuring all new schools are climate-resilient and net-zero in operation. Alongside this, curriculum reforms will embed sustainability education across subjects, from geography to science, and introduce a new Natural History GCSE.
Josh MacAllister, Education Minister, added:
“Solar panels are slashing schools’ energy bills by thousands of pounds year after year, with the money going straight back into the textbooks and resources pupils need to succeed.
“This is part of our wider work to drive national renewal, rebuilding more than 750 schools in every corner of the country.”
By enabling schools to generate their own electricity, millions will be saved on energy bills – far exceeding installation costs. This progress forms part of the Local Power Plan, delivering energy security, good jobs and economic growth while rebuilding public services.
Image credit: iStock
