National Grid funds first solar panel installation at Gloucestershire school

Aschool in Gloucestershire has become the first to install solar panels with funding from National Grid Electricity Distribution, as part of the company’s pledge to drive sustainability and promote net zero in local communities. Rednock School in Dursley, Gloucestershire, has benefitted from National Grid’s solar PV fund which was established in its RIIO-ED2 distribution Business Plan.

National Grid is the distribution network operator for the Midlands, South West and South Wales, looking after the network of overhead lines, underground cables and substations that delivers electricity across the region.

The Gloucestershire scheme is part of the company’s Business Plan commitment to ‘build decarbonised communities and local energy schemes by providing £540,000 of shareholder-funded support each year to install solar PV on schools in areas of high economic deprivation’.

This commitment was reinforced in the company’s recently updated Social Contract, which aims to add value to the environment and to the lives of customers and colleagues.

The 19kW solar panel system at Rednock School is the first project to be delivered and will create a blueprint for similar schemes at schools across National Grid’s distribution area. National Grid provided £10,000 of funding for the solar PV system and £2,000 towards its maintenance. The school also provided additional funding to expand the size of the installation.

The project was carried out in partnership with key local stakeholders, including school staff and governors, as well as a local ecologist who is monitoring biodiversity net gain and carbon levels. This will help both the school and the local community to become more sustainable.

Ellie Patey, Social Obligations Officer at National Grid said: “This is a landmark project for National Grid as we increase our support for local community projects by helping them to decarbonise. At National Grid, we’re committed to delivering locallytailored solutions which is why the unique insight of local stakeholders, who have a close connection to the community, is so invaluable. This project has helped to shape the model that will be scaled up across our network over the next five years as we deliver on our RIIO-ED2 commitments.

“We hope the project will support Rednock School to become more sustainable, as well as being a seed point for wider community sustainability.”

Alongside the solar panels, National Grid is also delivering STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) outreach and education activities at the school to promote net zero, the benefits of renewable energy and careers in STEM.

Headteacher David Alexander said: “Rednock School is pleased to play a part as a pilot project in National Grid’s support for net zero communities. Not only will we benefit from reduced energy bills and a more sustainable school environment, but students are also gaining the skills and understanding needed for 21st century living. As an important part of the local community, the school will be helping to meet net zero challenges.” https://www.nationalgrid.co.uk/