FAQ

Typically, a 50kW system requires approximately 300-350 square meters of roof space. The exact space needed depends on the type of panels used and your roof's configuration. We can conduct a site assessment to determine the optimal system size for your school.

For reference:

• A 25kW system requires about 150-175 square meters (suitable for small primary schools)
• A 100kW system requires about 600-700 square meters (suitable for larger secondary schools)
• A 200kW system requires about 1,200-1,400 square meters (suitable for large academies or colleges)

Not all roof space may be suitable for solar panels due to shading, structural limitations, or other factors. Our engineers will evaluate your facility to determine the usable area.

Almost all types of educational institutions can benefit from solar panel installations. We've successfully installed solar systems for:

• Primary schools
• Secondary schools
• Independent schools
• Academies and free schools
• Sixth form colleges
• Further education colleges
• Universities and their buildings
• Boarding schools with residential facilities

The key factors that determine suitability are roof space, structural integrity, energy consumption patterns, and local regulations. We can assess your specific facility to determine its solar potential.

Excess energy produced during school holidays can be handled in several ways:

1. Export to the grid: Surplus electricity can be exported to the national grid. Depending on your location and utility provider, you may receive payment for this exported electricity through feed-in tariffs or similar schemes.
2. Battery storage: Excess energy can be stored in battery systems for use when school resumes. This is particularly valuable for schools that want to maximize self-consumption of their generated electricity.
3. Power community facilities: Some schools are able to direct excess power to nearby community facilities, depending on local regulations and grid connection arrangements.

Holiday periods actually represent an opportunity for schools, as they typically coincide with peak solar production months, maximizing the potential export revenue from your system.

Yes, solar panels work effectively in the UK climate. Although the UK receives less sunlight than more southerly countries, modern solar panel technology is highly efficient even in diffuse light conditions. Key points to note:

• Solar panels generate electricity from daylight, not just direct sunlight
• The UK receives approximately 60% of the solar energy of equatorial regions
• Panels can still generate electricity on cloudy days, though at reduced capacity
• Modern solar technology is increasingly efficient in low-light conditions
• South-facing roofs are optimal, but east and west-facing roofs are also viable

Our system designs account for UK-specific conditions to ensure optimal performance throughout the year.

We schedule installations to minimize disruption to school operations. Typically:

• Small systems (25-50kW) take about 1-2 weeks to install
• Medium systems (50-100kW) take about 2-3 weeks
• Large systems (100kW+) take about 3-4 weeks

We prioritize school holiday periods for installations whenever possible. When installation must occur during term time, we:

• Schedule the most disruptive work outside of school hours
• Implement strict safety protocols to ensure student and staff safety
• Coordinate closely with school administration to minimize impact on classes
• Install security fencing around work areas
• Use the installation as a learning opportunity where appropriate

Most of the work takes place on the roof, which minimizes disruption to indoor activities.

Schools have several funding options for solar panel installations:

• Capital funding: Using existing school capital budget or reserves
• Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS): Government grants for public sector organizations including schools
• Salix Finance: Interest-free government-funded loans for energy efficiency projects
• Community fundraising: PTA/PTO initiatives, crowdfunding, and community shares
• Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs): Third-party ownership where the school purchases the electricity at a reduced rate with no upfront costs
• Local authority funding: Some local authorities provide funding for school sustainability projects
• Educational grants: Various foundations offer grants for educational environmental projects

Our team can help you identify the most suitable funding options for your school and assist with applications where appropriate.

Solar installations provide numerous educational opportunities across the curriculum:

• Science: Studying renewable energy, electricity generation, the physics of photovoltaics, and environmental impact
• Mathematics: Analyzing energy production data, calculating cost savings, graphing seasonal variations
• Geography: Exploring climate change, energy resources, and sustainable development
• Design & Technology: Understanding engineering principles and sustainable design
• Computing: Using data from monitoring systems for programming projects and data analysis
• Business Studies: Analyzing ROI, financial planning, and the economics of renewable energy
• Citizenship: Discussing environmental responsibility and community impact

We provide schools with access to monitoring dashboards, curriculum-aligned lesson plans, and educational resources to help integrate your solar installation into teaching. Our educational resources are designed to meet national curriculum standards and can be adapted for different age groups.

Our educational resources package includes:

• Interactive monitoring dashboard: Real-time and historical data on your school's solar production, accessible in classrooms
• Curriculum-aligned lesson plans: Ready-to-use plans for primary and secondary levels across multiple subjects
• STEM activity guides: Hands-on activities and experiments related to solar energy
• Educational display materials: Posters, signage, and digital content explaining your solar system
• Teacher training: Professional development sessions on using solar data in teaching
• Student workbooks: Age-appropriate workbooks for different key stages
• Project ideas: Guidelines for extended student projects and investigations

All resources are customized to work with your specific installation and can be updated as curriculum requirements evolve. Visit our Educational Resources page for more details.

Solar panel systems require minimal maintenance. A typical maintenance schedule includes:

• Annual inspection: Checking electrical connections, mounting systems, and overall performance
• Panel cleaning: Usually 1-2 times per year, depending on local conditions and bird activity
• Inverter check: Ensuring proper operation of inverters and monitoring systems
• Vegetation management: Ensuring no new shading issues from tree growth

Our maintenance packages include regular scheduled checks and performance monitoring. The monitoring system will automatically alert us to any performance issues, allowing for prompt response before significant energy loss occurs.

Maintenance activities are scheduled during holidays or outside of school hours to prevent disruption to school activities.