Project Summary
Cornwall Council has an ambition to deliver 2MW of renewable energy generation across their estate per annum.
The deployment of solar PV systems on schools is a repeatable and scalable measure to help decarbonise public sector buildings and reduce operational costs.
The Hub worked with Cornwall Council to establish a 30kW roof-mounted PV system at Stoke Climsland School. The school agreed to purchase energy that is generated and used on site at a discounted rate compared to the prevailing grid import rate, providing savings to the school.
This scheme is a subsidy-free Council-funded PV system. It’s hoped that this successful pilot project will encourage similar schemes to be developed at schools across Cornwall.
Background
The scheme aims to provide on-site renewable energy generation, to reduce carbon emissions, operational costs, and support local supply chains.
Our Role
The Hub supported the scheme as follows:
- Identifying the opportunity
- Securing grid connection
- Determining the requirement for planning permission
- Supporting preparation of the business case
- Creating a technical specification
- Evaluating supplier bids
- Providing ad-hoc technical support
The scheme would have stalled without this intervention.
Location
Stoke Climsland School, Callington, Cornwall.
Technology
Solar PV – 30kW roof-mounted PV system.
Financing and Ownership
The scheme is funded by Cornwall Council’s £30m Renewable Energy and Low Carbon Technology Fund. It will be owned and operated by Cornwall Council.
Benefits
The scheme will generate c. 30MWh p.a. of renewable energy and save 6tCO2 p.a. It is expected that the school will consume at least 60% on site, helping to reduce operational costs. Any surplus energy will be gold back to the grid.
Judith Maunder, School Business Manager at Stoke Climsland School said; ‘All the work was arranged through Cornwall Council, they took care of every aspect of the installation. The work to install the panels, that was carried during the summer holidays, was completed on time with no issues or problems. The school is now benefitting from energy produced by the panels on a daily basis. This is helping to reduce our operational costs and improve our carbon footprint.’
Key Facts
| Client | Cornwall Council |
| Strategic priority | Renewable Energy Generation |
| Energy generation/saving | c. 30MWh p.a. (c. 60% utilised on site) |
| Timeline | Installed August 2023 |
| Carbon saving | c. 6tCO2 p.a. |
| Project value | c. £37,000 |
| Project website | N/A |
