Groundbreaking ‘Solar Schools’ project launched

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.

“The Solar Schools project is all about using the power of community to tackle climate change. By installing Solar Panels, local schools will be able to spend more money on books and teachers and less on rising energy bills” said Daniel Vockins, Solar Schools campaign manager.

Seven schools in Reading (four launching today with a further three to follow) as well as one in Norfolk, Cambridge and the Scilly Isles will be piloting the scheme which is expected to conclude at the end of the school year. If the model proves a success, 10:10 are planning a national rollout for September 2012.

The virtual roofs were unveiled at a launch in Reading last night when Battle Primary School welcomed representatives from many of the pilot schools as well as local business leaders and members of Reading Borough Council.

At the event, produced by long-time 10:10 supporter Firefly Solar, children generated their own energy using a combination of electricity generating bikes and one of Firefly’s newest products the ‘TeedleGen’ seesaw generator.

Justin Roberts, CEO of Mumsnet, a partner in the campaign, said “Anything that cuts carbon and energy bills, while also providing schools with income streams and unique curriculum resources, has got to be a great idea. We hope it will be a roaring success.“

Parents, communities and local businesses can log-on to www.solarschools.org.uk to help their local school and see who has already donated.

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About Solar Schools – www.solarschools.org

Solar Schools uses the power of communities to harness the power of the sun. Schools raise money for a new solar roof by gathering small donations from local people and businesses. Donors are celebrated on the website, with photos to show how much of the solar roof they supported. It's about everyone coming together to help schools save money and go green – and to kick-start a renewable energy revolution.

10:10’s solar schools project compliments a similar scheme being run by Reading Borough Council. The council is looking to introduce solar panels on school and public buildings through a ‘spend to save’ investment by the Council.

Solar Schools is being piloted by four schools in the Reading area, one in Norfolk, Cambridge and the Scilly Isles.

The pilot of Solar Schools is being supported by Reading Borough Council, the Reading Post and Mumsnet. The launch event was supported by Firefly Solar.

Solar Schools has been funded in part by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, an international charitable foundation with cultural, educational, social and scientific interests. Based in Lisbon with offices in London and Paris, the foundation supports national and transnational work tackling contemporary issues in Europe. For further information please go to www.gulbenkian.org.uk.

For further information

www.solarschools.org
www.1010uk.org

INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE

Daniel Vockins, 10:10 & Solar Schools campaign manager

Representatives from each pilot school.
Cllrs Paul Gittings & John Ennis – Reading Borough Council.

Please contact Maddy on 07863 109472.

Schools taking part in the pilot

Kendrick School - Reading
Battle Primary School – Reading
EP Collier Primary School – Reading
New Christ Church Primary School – Reading
Three further schools in the Reading area will be launching imminently
The Five Islands School – Scilly Isles
Framingham Earl High School - Norfolk
Newnham Croft Primary School – Cambridgeshire