Harrogate Grammar School doubles renewable energy provision

A renewable energy company based in Harrogate has completed one of the country’s largest school solar panel installations.

Clean Energy Yorkshire, based at Pannal Business Park, had originally installed 200 solar panels to Harrogate Grammar School back in December 2011.

Now, 22 months later, the company returned to add phase two of the project – another 200 solar panels on the roof of the school’s newly finished Sixth Form Centre extension.

The Grammar School’s solar panels will now generate 100 kilowatts of electricity - enough power to run 9,000 low energy light bulbs or 6,000 computer screens, and will make a significant difference to the school’s energy bills and carbon footprint.

Spencer Cassidy, Clean Energy Yorkshire managing director, said: “When we completed our first renewable project at Harrogate Grammar School, it was the first school in the Harrogate District to boast a solar PV scheme.

“Now, less than two years later, we have completed what we believe to be the largest solar panel installation at a school in the UK.

“The rising cost of electricity and gas is never out of the headlines, and an ever increasing number of households, businesses, public bodies and institutions are looking to renewables to help reduce their running costs.

“Again, this was a superb project for us to be involved with and the solar panels we have installed will make a huge difference to Harrogate Grammar School’s future energy bills.”

Harrogate Grammar School finance director Steve Howell said: “At Harrogate Grammar School we take our environmental responsibilities very seriously and by doubling our solar provision, we are massively reducing our impact on the environment.

“Through our close working relationship with Clean Energy Yorkshire, it made sense to ask them to come back and install phase two of our solar panel scheme.

“The savings we will make over the coming years will allow us to invest in other areas of the school.”

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