One of our Wakefield area schools is using solar energy to power its classroom, thanks to a £2 million investment.
Ackworth Howard School is the first to benefit from the investment from the not-for-profit organisation Solar for Schools Community Benefit Society.
The school’s solar panels are now installed and generating power.
The project has students to thank for encouraging it to be done.
These voices included Ben, a Year 6 pupil at the school, who spent years encouraging school leaders to do something to respond to the challenge of climate change, including getting solar panels for the school.
Solar panels, added to the roofs or on land of schools, have the potential to generate renewable electricity, reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and bring down energy costs.
The other schools set to benefit from solar panels are Upton Primary, Featherstone Purston St Thomas C of E Junior School and Hendal Primary and Shay Lane Primary.
The Solar for Schools Community Benefit Society are looking to enable every school in the UK to gain solar panels, as well as help educate the next generation on energy, carbon, climate change and what they can do about it.
By linking the solar panels on the roof to the curriculum in the classroom the Society want to demonstrate to young people how they can approach a low-carbon lifestyle and work towards a more sustainable future.
Learning materials and educational visits on energy and sustainability for teachers and pupils will also be provided at participating schools.
Beth Maclean, Diocesan Net Zero Carbon Programme Manager, said: “It’s exciting to see solar panels now installed at Ackworth Howard!
“Schools are at the heart of shaping a more sustainable future – not only reducing their carbon footprint but also inspiring young minds to understand and tackle climate change head-on.
“This project is a shining example of the positive change we can make.
“I hope it sparks more renewable energy projects across our schools.”
Ann Flaherty, one of the Directors of the CBS, said: “The installation at Ackworth Howard Junior and Infant School marks a tremendous 200th school milestone for Solar for Schools Community Benefit Society.
"Working with forward-thinking Councils and dioceses - like Wakefield and the Diocese of Leeds - means we can bring low-cost, zero-carbon solar electricity and our hands-on education that inspires all generations to act more sustainably to schools nationwide.
"We support teachers, students and estate teams to work towards a more sustainable, lower-carbon, future."