With energy prices soaring and sustainability climbing the agenda, solar panels are becoming an increasingly attractive option for schools across the UK.
They offer a powerful combination of cost savings, environmental benefits, and educational opportunities. But with a wide array of providers and funding models, choosing the right solar partner can feel overwhelming.
This guide is here to help you navigate the process – combining practical advice with real-life case studies from Let’s Go Zero schools that have already made the leap.
Installing solar panels can significantly reduce your school’s electricity bills, protect against future energy price hikes, and cut carbon emissions. Many schools also use their solar installations as a springboard for climate education, linking real-time data to the curriculum and inspiring pupils to think about green careers.
The government is backing this transition through Great British Energy (DfE, 2025), with £80m of solar panels being provided to 200 schools over the next year. Each school is expected to save around £25,000 annually.
So, how can you go about choosing the right provider for your school and what other considerations do you need to keep in mind?
Step 1: Assess your site’s suitability
Start by evaluating your school’s roof:
- Orientation: South-facing roofs are ideal, but east or west-facing can also work as they broaden the hours when solar power is available and could potentially save more on school bills.
- Condition: Ensure the roof is structurally sound and can bear the weight of the panels.
- Shading: Check for trees, chimneys and other buildings that might cast shadows.
A reputable provider should conduct a free thorough site survey to assess these factors.
Step 2: Understand funding options
Solar installations can be funded in several ways:
- Outright purchase (Capex): Your school owns the system and benefits from all the savings.
- Power purchase agreement (PPA): A third party installs and maintains the panels; the school signs a long-term contract to buy the electricity at a reduced rate.
- Community Energy Partnerships: Local co-operatives fund the installation, and your school benefits from lower energy costs.
Churchill Academy and Sixth Form in North Somerset tackled high energy costs by partnering with community energy group Low Carbon Gordano. Through a PPA, they installed 565 panels across four buildings. The system now generates nearly 200,000kWh annually, without requiring upfront capital.
The HEART Academies Trust, meanwhile, installed a 249kWp rooftop system across four schools, cutting grid energy use by nearly 20% and reducing emissions by 45 tonnes of CO₂ annually. Using a DfE -compliant funding model, they avoided upfront costs and are on track for a 25-year net saving of over £1.5m.
And Botley Primary School in Hampshire worked with Low Carbon Hub, a community energy hub in Oxford that is developing community owned renewable energy projects across Oxfordshire, to install solar PV panels on the roof.
Step 3: Check credentials and experience
Ensure your chosen provider is accredited and experienced in working with schools. When it comes to accreditations, Look for MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) certification and membership in trade associations like Solar Energy UK. Look into their track record too – ask for case studies or references from other schools.
Bellevue Place Education Trust in London and Berkshire partnered with eEnergy to roll out solar panels in nine of its 10 schools. It led to a 67-tonne annual CO₂ reduction, 28% energy self-sufficiency, and a projected £410,000 saving over 25 years. With Let’s Go Zero’s support, students also used live solar data to connect climate learning with real-world action.
Step 4: Evaluate educational opportunities
Solar panels aren’t just about saving money – they are a teaching tool. Ask your provider for a real-time monitoring system and educational resources.
In 2024, Little Chalfont Primary School in Buckinghamshire installed 60 solar panels, funded by a mix of DfE grants, local trusts, and parental donations. The school now pays 50% less for energy, has saved 4.5 tonnes of CO₂ (equivalent to taking three cars off the road), and proudly displays live solar data to engage pupils in the journey to self-sufficiency.
Step 5: Consider alternative installations
If your roof isn’t suitable, explore other options like solar canopies over car parks. For example, Three Peaks Primary Academy in Tamworth solved two problems at once – they needed an outdoor shelter and were facing rising energy costs – by installing a solar canopy with 50 panels. The structure offers covered play space and generates power, saving thousands each year while cutting carbon emissions by around three tonnes.
Key questions to ask your provider
- Legal barriers: Check land ownership and lease agreements. Make sure you are compliant with public sector borrowing rules.
- Grid connection: Ensure your provider has consulted your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to ensure the grid can accommodate your system – you can find your operator via the Energy Networks Association (see further information)
- Ethical sourcing: Inquire about the origin of the panels to avoid products linked to human rights abuses.
Final thoughts
Choosing the right solar provider is a significant decision that can yield substantial financial, environmental, and educational benefits. By carefully assessing your school’s needs, exploring funding options, and selecting a reputable provider, you can make a choice that supports your school’s sustainability goals and enriches student learning.
First produced in the HeadTeacher update here.