Said Head teacher Jackie Hipwell: “This represents two important milestones for our school. The installation of the latest renewable energy system will allow us to save substantially on our energy bill. This will, in turn, allow us to spend more money on actually educating our children. Thanks are due to our Grants Committee, which has done a magnificent job in tirelessly exploring every avenue of funding to secure the money we need to generate our own power.
Added Richard Harris, Chair of WFS Grants Committee: ''Not only will the school reduce it energy bills but it will generate income from feed in tariffs to be launched next year .This means the school can spend more money on teaching resources to directly benefit our children’s education”
50% of the cost of the project is being met with a grant from the Low Carbon Building Programme phase 2. Grants have also been obtained from the Big Lottery Community Sustainable Energy Programme, Somerset County Council and the Somerset Aggregate Levy Sustainable Fund.
Locally based Solarsense UK Limited will be supplying and installing the equipment using UK manufactured solar panels, guaranteed to perform for at least 25 years. The panels will save 4.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year, and provide an income and savings of about £3,750 each year and inside the school a live display system will show how much solar electricity has been generated and how much carbon dioxide has been saved.
WFS’s community partner Wedmore Green Group is a strong supporter of the school’s renewable energy initiatives and its members are confident the school can be used as a local beacon to encourage other individuals and organisations in the surrounding community to follow suit.
Added Steve Mewes, a spokesman for the Group: “The School will serve as an excellent example of what we as a community group are trying to encourage in the area. Such an exciting project will be invaluable to the village in showing what can be done with renewable energy, prompting many other households to do the same.
Added Jackie Hipwell: “Teaching the children about the environment and the impact of global warming and climate change is part of the curriculum and we already encourage recycling and energy saving across the school”
Ends –
Editors note:
Schools account for an estimated 15% of public sector carbon emissions of which a third is due to energy use in school buildings. The Government wants all schools to be sustainable schools by 2020 – not just promoting sustainable development through their teaching but also through their management and engagement with local communities.
Contact: Mal Johnson, Governor 01934 710334
