Solar Schools

Solar Schools is an innovative project, run by the 10:10 campaign that helps schools crowdfund the cost of installing solar panels.

Website: www.solarschools.org.uk 

The project aims to cut carbon, boost school budgets, build fundraising capacity in schools and engage thousands of people with renewable energy.

The idea is that the online platform will encourage on and offline fundraising opportunities, enable easy collection of donations and celebrate donors.  In addition, schools will receive training, support and access to a set of educational resources including advice on fundraising and generating local press coverage.

Three quarters of the schools in the Solar Schools pilot project will get solar panels, proving the model works. On average these schools will make £43,255 (electricity savings and feed-in tariff for 25 years). However, the pilot has proved that non-financial benefits are equally important with schools citing stronger links with community, increased confidence for fundraising, and a step-change in green initiatives as the best outcomes. 

The Award: 10:10 Solar Schools project has been awarded £50,000 to develop the website and crowdfunding toolkit for use with schools.  Once built, these may be developed for other local organisations and community groups across the UK to use.

Contacts

• Daniel Vockins: Campaign Manager and Solar Schools Project Leader
• Lizzie Gillett: Senior Campaign Adviser
• Duncan Clark: Strategy Director

Further information

Since its launch in 2009 10:10 UK has signed up more than 80,000 people, over 3,000 businesses, over 3,000 schools, universities and other organisations and 40% of the UK's local councils.

Solar Schools in one minute