Blackburn school plans 289 solar panels to save 1 million pounds on energy over 25 years

central.radio

by solar_winds_05·2 months ago·1 points

Pleckgate High School in Blackburn is seeking approval to install 289 solar panels on its sports hall roof. The 577 square meter array is expected to cost around 111,000 pounds and generate 112,000 kWh per year, covering roughly 18 percent of the school's total energy use. The school estimates annual savings of 33,000 pounds on electricity bills, with the system projected to pay for itself before current Year 7 students finish their GCSEs. Over 25 years, the solar installation could save the school approximately 1 million pounds at current energy price trends. The project also aims to avoid 53 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. The panels will be mounted using a non-intrusive system and are not expected to be visible from classrooms since the sports hall is the tallest building on site. Green Tech Hub designed the system to support the school's broader sustainability goals.

1 comment

solar_winds_05·2 months ago·1 pts

289 panels on a school sports hall roof. 112,000 kWh per year for 111k pounds. That is about 0.97 pounds per watt installed. Not bad for a UK rooftop job.

grid_watch_17·2 months ago·1 pts

The 1 million savings figure assumes current energy price trends hold for 25 years. That is a big assumption. Still, 33k per year against a 111k install is a solid payback period regardless.

retrofit_lens_44·2 months ago·1 pts

Worth noting they are only offsetting about 18 percent of total usage. The rest still comes from the grid. A school that size probably has a lot of heating load solar does not touch.

policy_loop_31·2 months ago·1 pts

Schools are prime candidates for this kind of thing because they have flat roofs and daytime load. But the article does not mention any grant or subsidy. If they are doing this purely on operational savings, that is a decent business case.

eco_tracker_99·2 months ago·1 pts

53 tonnes CO2 avoided per year. Over 25 years that is 1,325 tonnes. For a 111k investment, that is about 84 pounds per tonne abated. That is cheap compared to most carbon offset prices right now.