The private sector funding has been secured by Our Generation as a result of the UK Government’s feed-in tariff, launched in April of this year. It will enable hundreds of schools throughout Britain to have solar electricity systems installed free of charge and low-cost fixed price energy for 25 years.
The Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Greg Barker MP, recognised this approach to providing renewable energy by visiting Birchwood High School in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire. Birchwood is the first to benefit from the scheme offered by Our Generation, having the largest solar electricity system on a school anywhere in the UK, which would have cost over £200,000 to install.
“The school children at Birchwood High are showing how going green is not only good for the planet but makes good financial sense too. Feed-in tariffs have given a much needed boost to the industry with great take up so far,” said Greg Barker. “The £50 million investment announced by Our Generation means lots more schools across the country are going to be able to benefit from clean energy and lower fuel bills.”
The investment of £50m will enable Our Generation to roll its programme out across England, Scotland and Wales, offering schools fixed rate payment packages at rates much lower than those for traditional ‘brown fuels’. The packages combine heavily reduced energy generation prices, alongside payments received through the Government’s feed-in tariff scheme.
“The Feed in Tariff has without doubt been a catalyst for securing our private sector funding. With this in place we can now roll our programme out for schools throughout Britain, helping staff and students enjoy the benefits of renewable technology, and save money,” said Ian Goodwin, Director of Our Generation.
The system installed at Birchwood High School currently generates around 7% of the school’s electricity requirements – a figure which they are keen to increase to 10%.
“By having renewable technology installed, schools become very aware of the energy they are using and wasting. Birchwood is a classic example where the school is working hard to become more energy savvy and as the Our Generation scheme rolls out, we hope to see many more schools follow their lead,” Ian concluded.
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