A new 'crowd funding' project to raise money to install solar panels in schools launched in Reading today.

The project, launched by carbon cutting organisation 10:10 in conjunction with Mumsnet, combines traditional fundraising elements, such as cake sales and non-uniform days, with innovative online social networking. Each school gets its own virtual 'solar roof' on the Solar Schools website - www.solarschools.org.uk.

Parents, teachers, school alumni and local businesses are then invited to sponsor little pieces of each school's virtual solar roof which they can personalise with their picture and a message of support. When enough funds are raised, a real solar roof is installed on top of the school building. Every pound given could generate up to £3 for the school over the lifetime of the solar installation - through energy savings and government support for renewable energy.

Andrew Barnett, Director of the UK Branch of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation said:

"One of the key issues facing the world today is how communities at a local level can engage with global environmental challenges in ways that are meaningful and make a difference. In all its work, the Foundation aspires to solutions that are innovative and encourage involvement. The Solar Schools pilot offers a new approach to funding renewable energy projects which will capture the imagination of local communities and provide tangible economic and environmental benefits for the schools at their heart."

Read the press release.

Press coverage:
Reading Post
Business Green
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