Solar Panels for Schools: How to Make Education More Sustainable

Solar energy is in the midst of a surge in popularity across the UK, becoming a trusted source of power across a wide variety of settings – and educational institutions are certainly leading the charge. From schools to universities, these sites are tapping into renewable energy and embedding sustainability into their core values and curriculum's.

Solar installations offer several benefits to these sites, helping cut energy bills and teaching students valuable lessons about environmental stewardship. However, the benefits of solar panels for schools come with the critical responsibility of proper maintenance to maximize efficiency and longevity. Otherwise, the positives could easily get lost.

Solar Panel Benefits for Schools and Universities

Educational institutions are ideal candidates for installing solar energy for several reasons, such as:

Environmental Impact

Solar panels reduce dependence on fossil fuels, aligning educational establishments with the UK’s ambitious net-zero targets. For example, this roll-out to six schools in Gloucestershire is estimated to save around 500 tonnes of carbon every year, the equivalent of over 1500 trees.

This is a tangible way for schools to contribute to environmental sustainability while setting an example for students and communities.

Educational Value

Many schools and universities use solar panels for educational use, incorporating real-time solar data into their science and sustainability curriculum's, enriching classes with real-world figures. Students can gain a hands-on understanding of renewable energy's impact by monitoring energy savings and emissions reductions, helping foster a generation that values sustainability.

Financial Savings

With rising energy costs, many educational institutions are looking for ways to reduce expenses. Solar energy offers savings that schools can redirect towards educational resources, staff development or student programmes. The aforementioned Gloucestershire roll-out is expected to save each school over £4,000 a year.

Notable Solar Panel Installations in UK Schools & Institutions

The UK is home to an impressive number of solar projects across schools, colleges and universities. In fact, over 2,000 institutions in the UK now have solar panels, a number that's steadily increasing. Universities are part of the movement also, with the University of Sussex pioneering large-scale arrays. The southern English establishment has over 3,000 panels installed, generating enough electricity to power significant parts of its campuses.

Can Schools get Funding for Installing Solar Panels?

Solar panels are an undeniably positive installation for schools and educational institutions, however, installing them can be expensive – tough for publicly-funded schools. However, funding for solar panels for schools is becoming increasingly available, as demonstrated by schemes like the initiative from the National Grid. This scheme will offer funding to schools in low-income areas looking to reduce their carbon footprints and utility bills by installing solar panels.

Community Funded and Rent-a-Roof for Solar Panels Schemes

Many schools rely on community funding or rent-a-roof solar panels, where third-party companies install and maintain solar panels in exchange for a share of the energy savings. For example, the Solar for Schools initiative has facilitated solar installations in hundreds of schools, helping institutions that may not otherwise be able to afford the upfront costs of accessing clean energy.

The Importance of Regular Solar Panel Maintenance and Solar Module Cleaning

While solar panel benefits are high, it’s not possible to simply leave them “do their thing” with no care. These tools are generally low-maintenance compared to other energy sources, but regular cleaning is essential, especially in school and university settings where large rooftop systems are common.

Maximizing Energy Output

Solar panels lose their efficiency if not cleaned regularly, particularly in busy urban areas prone to pollution, dust or tree debris. Regular maintenance helps schools get the most out of their solar investments, keeping energy production at optimal levels.

Issues with Lichen Growth

Lichen is a major issue for solar arrays, especially in educational facilities surrounded by greenery. Unlike dirt or dust, lichen is an organic colony of fungi that bonds to the surface of solar panels, reducing sunlight absorption and creating stubborn stains that are challenging to remove without professional solar panel cleaning.

Proximity to Trees

Schools and universities often have green campuses, which, while beautiful, increase the likelihood of pollen, leaf litter and bird droppings accumulating on solar panels. These materials can significantly diminish solar panel performance and even severely degrade the materials, especially if they’re left unchecked. However, by engaging a professional solar panel cleaning company to regularly clean your solar panels, you can easily mitigate the soiling on your solar PV system.

Longer System Lifespan

Solar panels typically last around 25–30 years, but inadequate maintenance can shorten this lifespan and may cause hot spots where regular solar panel cleaning is not undertaken.

Schools that invest in regular solar panel cleaning prevent the build-up issues of contaminants that could permanently damage their solar panels, it also offers peace of mind and ensures the PV system is running to it's full potential.

Keeping Solar Panels for Schools in Top Condition

Maintaining solar panels may seem like an additional expense, but the long-term benefits far outweigh the costs. Here’s how schools and universities can best care for their PV systems:

Scheduled Cleanings:

Schools should ideally schedule solar panel cleaning every 12 months, depending on their environment. In urban areas or near trees, more frequent solar panel cleaning might be necessary.

Professional Solar Panel Cleaners are a Must:

Hiring professional solar panel cleaning companies that are fully trained, insured and using proper equipment and techniques, ensures that the solar panels are cleaned thoroughly without risk of damage.

Long-Term Savings:

By keeping solar panels clean, schools and universities save money in the long run, as their systems generate more energy and require fewer repairs.

Here at Solar Panel Cleaning Services Ltd, we’ve worked with hundreds of educational sites, observing the impact of proper maintenance firsthand. As a rule, schools that follow recommended solar panel cleaning frequencies experience fewer issues and report higher satisfaction with their energy savings.

Solar Panels for Schools are a Power Move

Solar energy is revolutionizing the way UK educational institutions approach sustainability, making schools, colleges and universities pioneers in green energy. As the UK pushes toward a sustainable future, educational sites with solar panels are making a powerful statement – one that benefits the students of today for a cleaner brighter future tomorrow.

For more insights into solar panels and cleaning them, check out our blog today.