Children in Stratford-upon-Avon returning to Pebworth First School after the long summer break have been delighted to see solar panels on the roof of their school building.

As a long standing eco-school, Pebworth First School had the panels fitted by contractor, Solar Solutions Malvern Ltd. The panels, which are are situated on a south facing roof are already producing enough energy that the school has found itself in the enviable situation that it is making money from its new venture.

Worcestershire County Council Spend to Save scheme funded the supply and installation of the panels. The school has received a significant financial benefit as the energy generated by the panels (so not consumed from the grid) along with the Feed in Tariff income, amounts to over £1,000 a year. The panels also save over 2,000kgs of CO2 per annum.

School Leader, Zoe Nosworthy, said: “Our children are very excited about their solar power installation, they can see on the monitor how much power we are generating and selling each day. We already have a well-developed eco-garden, we recycle and compost as a matter of course, so solar energy is the icing on the cake."

Councillor Anthony Blagg, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Environment from Worcestershire County Council said: "Sustainability is an important objective for Worcestershire County Council. We are conscious of making a real difference, where possible, to the environment and to the greener credentials of Worcestershire as a whole."

Interested parents and villagers can see the panels in action during Pebworth’s Open Day on September 26.

Further information regarding the installation of Solar panels using Worcestershire County Council's Spend to Save Scheme can be found by contacting energy@worcestershire.gov.uk for more information