Solar Heating - Junior school adopts renewable energy

05/06/2008

A primary school in Devon has become the first in its town to use renewable energy.

Ilfracombe C of E Junior School will receive its electricity from solar panels that were mounted on the roof over the half-term holiday.

By using renewable energy to help power the school's white boards, computers and lights it is expected to cut 3.7 tonnes from its carbon emissions.

The school received joint funding from EDF Energy's Green Fund and the Low Carbon Building Programme to pay for the 51 panels, which cost almost £50,000.

Solar heating panels were also installed to provide hot water in the kitchen for washing up, with the two developments expected to reduce electricity use by ten per cent and cut water heating by 70 per cent.

Catherine Cox, headteacher at the junior school, commented: "This project will not only support our planet's sustainable future but will promote our future generation's knowledge and understanding of the importance of seeking and using renewable energy sources."

Yesterday, it was reported that eco-town residents could see heating bills of less than £100 per annum.

Ian Ward from the Sabre venture told H&V News technologies such as solar heating could see bills drop to as low as £50 a year.