‘We’re a shining example thanks to solar scheme’ , Teesdale Mercury

Pupils at a dale primary school have become leading lights of renewable energy after switching on new solar panels at their school.  

The £20,000 solar panels at Staindrop CofE Primary School will save two tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.

The 24 rooftop panels are half-funded by The Co-operative with match-funding from the Government’s Low Carbon Building programme.  

 “We are proud to be among the schools leading the way on renewable energy through this generous Co-operative scheme,” said headteacher Steve Whelerton. 

“We are already working hard to reduce the school’s carbon footprint and switching on these rooftop solar panels will instantly boost our efforts while sending out a strong message about our commitment to helping the environment.”

Last week, pupils joined the Co-op’s climate change mascot Sunny Solar to officially switch on the panels.

Pupils have been learning about renewable energy and have formed their own eco-committee.

“Our solar panels reduce our carbon footprint which is also good for the ozone layer,” said pupil Oliver Littlefair, a committee member.

The photovoltaic panels will generate about 3,300 kWh of electricity each year –  enough to power a school computer for 33,000 hours, or make 180,000 cups of tea.

Pupils can keep track of how much renewable energy the panels are generating and the amount of carbon dioxide they are saving by checking a monitor in the school hall.

Pupil Charlie Nicholson, also from the school’s eco committee, said: “I really like the idea of clean energy. We enjoy watching the meter to see how much we have made.” 

The Co-operative has spent £1m installing solar panels at more than 100 schools across the UK since 2007. 

Shauna Kitling, manager of The Co-operative foodstore in Barnard Castle, said: “This clean, silent technology will help educate Staindrop Primary’s pupils about green energy as well as reducing the school’s reliance on fossil fuels. 

“We hope the switch-on of these rooftop solar panels will give the whole community a jolt by sending out a strong message about the urgent need to do what we can to tackle climate change.”

The Co-op is investing a further £1m to install solar panels at 60 schools and to pilot three additional renewable technologies – wind turbines, biomass boilers and ground source heat pumps – at more than 20 schools. 

Michael Fairclough, The Co-operative’s head of community and campaigns, said: “As a community business with a long track record in using renewable energy to power our own buildings, it makes sense to bring our experience and funding to help a local school in this way. 

“By switching on these solar panels, Staindrop Primary School is teaching the next generation about climate change, while setting an excellent example to other schools, businesses and homes in Durham. We hope this will inspire wider efforts to reduce the whole community’s carbon footprint.”