Shropshire Claims First Carbon Neutral School
Shropshire's Barrow 1618 Primary School has claimed success in its goal to make the school carbon neutral. The programme has involved many parties and technologies including PV. Cheshire based Green Electrician Group, an installer of renewable energy microgeneration and energy efficiency technologies, has been working with The primary school to help it become the county's first carbon neutral free school. Having recently moved from state school status to an independent free school, the Governors of Barrow 1618 asked the Green Electrician to help reduce the school's energy spend and carbon emissions. Works have been completed within just 6 weeks and in time to greet the first intake of pupils.
The Green Electrician provided a Green Energy Management programme, starting with a detailed assessment of the school's energy use. This led to the implementation of an energy reduction plan that included the procurement of a cheaper 2-year electricity supply contract, the installation of an energy monitoring system, as well as energy efficient lighting and radiators. To help the school generate its own renewable power and heat, The Green Electrician also installed both Solar PV and Biomass systems and will continue to provide an ongoing programme of support.
David Young OBE, Operations Director at The Green Electrician, commented "we are very proud to have helped Barrow School with its goal to become carbon neutral. The detailed monitoring, display and reporting that come as part of the package will undoubtedly make energy consumption an important aspect of school life as it seeks to influence behaviours and continually reduce carbon emissions."
The effects of the work undertaken are significant; the school has reduced its dependency on fossil fuels and is forecast to save 12 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. As an added benefit, the school's combined electricity and heating bill has also been reduced by 31% a year. Through the contribution of the Feed in Tariff for the Solar PV and the Renewable Heat Incentive for the Biomass, the scheme will also provide the school with a net annual income. This will amount to about £900 for each of the first five years whilst the finance is repaid and then, for the following 15 years, at least £5400 every year. This additional income stream could amount to nearly £95000 over the next 20 years.
Selina Graham, the Chair of Governors for Barrow 1618, remarked that "within an incredibly tight timetable the team from the Green Electrician has worked with the utmost professionalism and efficiency, from the consultation stage through to completion, to help us achieve our goal of carbon neutrality. We look forward to continuing to work with the company in the future and to all the environmental and financial benefits they have brought us".
The Green Electrician was established as a specialist solar PV installer in 2007, providing systems for clients in the domestic, commercial, agricultural and public sectors. The company has since expanded its portfolio of products to include other renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines, biomass boilers and heat pumps to help customers reduce energy costs. The broad range of products also compliments their existing energy management and distribution services.
