Education in green power for school

The Harrogate-based firm has installed more than 200 solar panels to roofs at Harrogate Grammar School, which is believed to be the first school in the town to generate electricity from the sun’s rays.

The project took a team of three, who had to battle against gale force winds, sub-zero conditions and just eight hours of light a day, two weeks to complete.

It was the 96th installation carried out by the husband and wife- run firm since the end of October.

The panels, fitted to two roofs on the sixth form block, will generate just under 50kw of electricity, enough to power 4,500 low energy light bulbs or 3,000 computer screens.

Clean Energy (Yorkshire) director Tamsin Cassidy said: “This was our biggest order to date and the first installation we have done at a school.

“From the outset, Harrogate Grammar School wanted to appoint a local company for this work – and after careful consideration they chose us.

“This was a major contract for us and demonstrates our expertise in the renewable energy industry.

“This installation will drastically reduce the school’s power bills as well as diminish their carbon footprint.”

Mrs Cassidy added: “Over the last 12 months we have significantly grown the business, expanding to beyond the Yorkshire region and have increased our workforce to more than 25.”

Steve Howell, finance director of Harrogate Grammar School, said: “Students and staff have shown great interest in the panels.”