Solar panels help village school near Horsham become closer to net carbon zero

Barns Green Primary School decided to install the panels to supplement its electricity costs and free up its future budget to allow funds to be spent directly on pupils.

School governor Dawn Martin said that the solar panels had also helped the school to become more ‘eco-friendly.’

She said the the school had received invaluable advice from Andrew Tolfts, consumer lead of the energy services team at West Sussex County Council.

She added: “Barns Green Primary School is absolutely thrilled to report that it has been successful in receiving grants from an anonymous donor – £10,000 – and Horsham District Council – £5000 – which, together with ring-fenced money from West Sussex County Council for making the school more sustainable, has enabled us to install solar panels on the school roof during October half term.

“Our long term vision is to extend the array of panels to move closer to becoming a net carbon zero school but despite the generosity of our sponsors, we are not in a position to do that yet.”

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Data showing how much energy the panels are generating, how much is being used by the school and how much surplus is being sent to the National Grid is available on a simple app and can be used by children in lessons. The surplus energy generates income for the school.

With the help of drone photographer Gary Pickering, the children spelt out the words ‘Thank you’ on the playground in front of the solar panels to mark their success.