Rednock School installs solar panels with National Grid

A new 19kW solar panel system has been installed on one of the school's roofs. 

It is expected to help reduce energy costs and forms part of the school's wider sustainability campaign to help reduce its carbon footprint. 

The project was made possible by funding from National Grid Electricity Distribution which contributed £10,000 for the solar PV system and £2,000 towards its maintenance. 

Rednock is the first school as part of the electricity provider’s new solar PV community scheme and has been described as a ‘landmark’ project.

The project will create a blueprint for similar schemes at other schools across the National Grid’s distribution area for the South West, South Wales and Midlands. 

Deputy headteacher Steve White (front, left), Ellie Patey, from National Grid (front, second from left) and David Martin, school governor, with students from Rednock School (Image: Rednock School)

Headteacher David Alexander said: "Rednock School is pleased to play a part as a pilot project in National Grid's support for net zero communities. 

“Not only will we benefit from reduced energy bills and a more sustainable school environment, but students are also gaining the skills and understanding needed for 21st century living. 

“As an important part of the local community, the school will be helping to meet net zero challenges.”

☀️ So-lar, so good!

We've funded these solar panels @rednock_school in #Gloucester as part of our pledge to drive sustainability & promote #netzero in the communities we serve.

We'll be rolling out more schemes like this to speed up #decarbonisation over the next 5 years! pic.twitter.com/V2uInWSuIg

— National Grid UK Customers (ex-WPD) (@gridcustomersuk) June 22, 2023

Ellie Patey, social obligations officer at National Grid said: “This is a landmark project for National Grid as we increase our support for local community projects by helping them to decarbonise. 

“At National Grid, we’re committed to delivering locally-tailored solutions which is why the unique insight of local stakeholders, who have a close connection to the community, is so invaluable. 

“This project has helped to shape the model that will be scaled up across our network over the next five years as we deliver on our RIIO-ED2 commitments.

“We hope the project will support Rednock School to become more sustainable, as well as being a seed point for wider community sustainability.”

National Grid is the distribution network operator for the Midlands, South West and South Wales, looking after the network of overhead lines, underground cables and substations that delivers electricity across the region.

Alongside the solar panels, National Grid is also delivering STEM activities at the school to promote net zero, the benefits of renewable energy and careers in the industry. 

The project was carried out in partnership with school staff and governors, as well as a local ecologist who is monitoring biodiversity net gain and carbon levels. 

Rednock also provided additional funding to expand the size of the installation.