Solar powered city schools are slashing bills across Sunderland

ELECTRICITY bills are falling at a Sunderland primary school thanks to its new solar panels.

Pupils, staff and visitors at Southwick Community Primary School in Sunderland are now benefiting from 35 roof-mounted solar panels. The panels will lower electricity bills and allow more of the school’s budget to be allocated to learning and support.

Installation work was completed through February and March this year and, after testing, the panels will be generating power during daylight hours to help provide electricity.

Funding for the Southwick panels has come from the Great British Energy’s Mayoral Renewables Fund secured by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness as part of a £700,000 programme for schools in Sunderland and Northumberland.

Southwick headteacher Christian Robson said: “Very pleased to receive the funding from the Mayoral Renewables Energy Fund for solar panels. Great to have them installed as the days lengthen and daylight not just sunshine helps generate power.

“This is expected to save the school around £3,200 per year, which is a significant financial saving on the school’s electricity budget. We really value this support, which will ensure that more of our budget can be spent on resources to support the children’s learning.”

Planning and delivering 13 Mayor-backed school schemes in Sunderland is being overseen by the City Council. The council is also preparing to roll out its own £500,000 solar scheme to a further 25 city schools.

Leader of Sunderland City Council, Coun Michael Mordey, said: “Solar panels are proving to be very welcome in schools as they bring benefits for both educational and practical reasons. Panels can significantly reduce electricity bills, allowing more of the budget to be directed toward learning resources, extracurricular activities, or other building improvements.

“As it’s renewable and clean, solar energy is also showing pupils the importance of environmental responsibility through practical examples. Over time, the savings from solar panels outweigh initial installation costs, and so this makes them a smart long‑term investment.”

Of the 13 Sunderland schools that have received fully funded grants for panels, the average investment per school is £20,000.

Southwick school Governor and City Council Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Child Poverty and Skills, Coun Michael Butler said: “Solar panels bring a lot of wins for everyone with financial savings, educational opportunities, and environmental benefits.

“I would add that the visual impact of the solar panel projects a positive message for the school and the community of Southwick by demonstrating how the school is committed to innovation and helping the environment. We look forward to seeing more school panels switched on across our city.”

Alongside its reduction in electricity bills, the school solar panel programme supports the mayoral objectives to improve longer-term financial resilience in schools.

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “Putting solar panels on school roofs helps cut energy bills and frees up more money for schools to spend in other ways, like on breakfast and after-school clubs to give kids a better start in life.

“It also shows young people how green, locally‑produced energy can power our future, and I would love to see more of these schemes across the region. This is all part of my mission to make the North East the home of the green energy revolution.”