Star date: 26th November 2016

IRLAM PRIMARY AND FIDDLERS LANE PRIMARY GO SOLAR

This week, a unique community energy scheme was launched that sees almost 60kilowatts of solar panels installed on Irlam and Fiddlers Lane Primary Schools by Greater Manchester Community Renewables.

Funding for the scheme was raised from local people who bought shares in GMCR, and will help the two schools save money on their electricity bills... "We are absolutely delighted with the solar panels" says Elaine Darwin, Head Teacher at Irlam Primary School.

Full details here...

Back in the summer, Greater Manchester Community Renewables (GMCR) - set up and run by volunteers to create community-owned renewable energy - was trying to raise funds to install solar panels at schools in Salford.

The community responded by buying shares in the project and the £186,000 received has funded the installation of solar panels at three schools in Salford - Irlam Primary School, Fiddlers Lane Primary School and Primrose Hill Primary School, plus The Fuse community hub in Trafford.

The projects will save 50 tonnes of carbon dioxide in the first year of operation; over twenty years will provide combined energy bill savings of almost £50,000 to the sites and generate a total Community Fund of over £50,000 to be used in the areas around the sites for future eco-friendly initiatives.

This week, at Hamilton Davies House, two of the Salford schools, Irlam and Fiddlers Lane, celebrated the launch of their solar energy schemes.

"We are absolutely delighted with the solar panels, which were installed free of charge by GMCR" said Elaine Darwin, Head Teacher at Irlam Primary School "Renewable energy spans many aspects of the school curriculum and the solar installation helps to bring this to life - the pupils loved the assembly a couple of weeks ago when the installer explained how the panels were installed."

Ann McQuirk, Business Manager at Fiddlers Lane Primary School, added: "We were pleased to be able to use our roof to support this project. Not only will it save us a few pounds on our electricity bills which we can spend on education instead, it will also support the wider community through the profits it generates."

Supported by Salford City Council, it is hoped that there will be future phases of the scheme despite cuts to Government support for solar power.

"We are so grateful for the support of the schools, the Council and, of course, our members who invested" said Kate Eldridge, a Director of GMCR "Together we have delivered a project which will not only help to tackle climate change but will also benefit the community and help the next generation learn about solar power."

For a full background to the project see previous Salford Star article – click here