Hopes solar panels will save school £11,000 a year

A solar panel and battery storage scheme has been completed at Lea and Garsdon Primary School

A school is hoping the installation of more than 200 solar panels will help it save more than £10,000 a year.

The project at Lea and Garsdon Primary School, near Malmesbury in Wiltshire, has been funded through donations from parents, residents and local businesses, together with a loan from Wiltshire Council.

Councillor Jon Hubbard, council cabinet member for children's services, said the project was "the first of its kind for Wiltshire" and would "provide an educational opportunity for pupils to see renewable energy in action".

The project was officially finished with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday.

The scheme has seen 218 solar panels installed with battery storage – which should enable the school to reduce energy bills, cut carbon emissions, and release more funding for teaching and learning.

Chair of governors at the school, Dr Phil Yates, said the school wanted to divert "as much money towards teaching and learning" as it could.

"The solar energy now produces savings of over £11,000 each and every year, which will directly support educational activities for decades to come.

"This is an 'invest-to-save' scheme true to its name and we hope ours can be a model for many other schools," he added.