Pictured are Deputy Headteacher Steve White (front, left), Ellie Patey, Social Obligations Officer at National Grid (front, second from left) and David Martin, School Governor, with students from Rednock School. Image: National Grid
National Grid has helped install the first solar panels at a Gloucestershire school as part of its solar PV fund to promote decarbonisation in local communities.
Rednock School in Dursley, Gloucestershire, has benefitted from the scheme which was established in National Grid’s RIIO-ED2 distribution Business Plan. National Grid DSO operates the electricity grid in the Midlands, South West and South Wales.
The company’s business plan committed 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’.
The 19kW solar system is the first project delivered under the scheme and National Grid hopes it will be a blueprint for similar schemes at schools. £12,000 was provided for the scheme by National Grid, with additional funding from Rednock School.
☀️ So-lar, so good!
We've funded these solar panels @rednock_school in #Gloucester as part of our pledge to drive sustainability & promote #netzero in the communities we serve.
We'll be rolling out more schemes like this to speed up #decarbonisation over the next 5 years! pic.twitter.com/V2uInWSuIg
— National Grid UK Customers (ex-WPD) (@gridcustomersuk) June 22, 2023
National Grid say it carried out the partnership in consultation with local stakeholders including school staff and governors and a local ecologist who is monitoring the site’s biodiversity and carbon levels.
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 locally-tailored 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.”
National Grid is also delivering STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) 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.”