Eight new 'solar schools' will help cut bills and emmissions

Published: 18 January 2016

The schools will harness the energy from the sun to help the city cut its energy bills and carbon emissions.

A report to Glasgow City Council's Executive Committee said the initial investment would be paid back by the energy from the panels in eight years and save around £60,000 a year for the city over 20 years.

Councillor Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council and chair of the Sustainable Glasgow partnership, said: "As part of our ambitions to be a greener and more sustainable city we are always looking at the potential in the range of technologies which will help us cut emissions and our energy bills.

"This is a hugely exciting project as we go forward helping to protect against future energy price increases and securing supply.

"Even when it is cloudy, solar panels can harness diffuse light to generate electricity. So while Glasgow isn't the sunniest city in the world we can still make this work for us. It is a win-win situation."

In 2012, St Benedict's Primary School had solar photovoltaic (pv) panels put on its roof and it has exceeded its predicted energy outputs by 11% per year. It was decided after the success of this first "solar school" to investigate further installations.

Following a feasibility study eight new "solar schools" were chosen to get solar panels on their roofs. They are: Aultmore Park Primary in Baillieston; Crookston Castle Primary School, Pollok; Keppoch Campus, Possilpark; Oakwood Primary School in Easterhouse; Our Lady of Peace Primary, Barlanark; Pirie Park Primary, Govan; St Clare's Primary, Drumchapel and St Monica's Primary in Milton.

The installation, which is due to be completed by the end of 2015, will provide a saving of over £725,000 over 20 years after the initial investment cost of £469,000 is paid back. The report also says that the "project will continue to generate energy and cost savings beyond 20 years".

Through the Sustainable Glasgow partnership, the city has made a commitment to cut its carbon emissions by 30% by 2020. Through the council's Energy & Caron Masterplan, it has identified 33 actions that, if delivered, would help Glasgow achieve its carbon emissions reduction targets.

One of the 33 actions is to generate renewable electricity and the installation of solar PV panels on suitable Glasgow City Council estate buildings will help achieve this. The primary schools are among the first council buildings to get these installations.