Diss High School and others could benefit from new solar panels thanks to government initiative

Schools in the Diss Express area set to benefit from roof-top solar power, following a £180 million investment to reduce energy bills.

This is part of the UK Government and Great British Energy’s new initiative announced on Thursday, which will see solar panels installed at around 200 schools and 200 NHS sites nationwide.

Work is set to begin immediately, with the first panels expected to be in place by the end of the summer to help schools save money for the next academic year.

It is believed schools could save up to £25,000 per year, if they have solar panels with technologies such as batteries installed.

In the eastern region, NHS trusts will receive £7.54 million, shared across 22 trusts – including £420,000 for West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, and £109,000 for the East of England Ambulance Service Trust.

The funding has been welcomed by the Let’s Go Zero campaign, which has signed up more than 5,600 schools to promote zero-carbon initiatives.

Members of the campaign include Diss High School, primary schools in Roydon, Forncett St Peter , Stonham Aspal and Carleton Rode, and Little Oaks Playschool in Dennington.

Lucy Riseborough, a teacher at Diss High School, said: “We are working with Let’s Go Zero to develop a climate action plan as this is a Department of Education expectation by 2025.

“As we are in the early stages, we do not yet know if this will include solar installation, but we are working with other schools in our area to create a network towards reducing our school’s climate footprint.”

The Let’s Go Zero campaign has been signed up to by more than 5,600 schools, representing two million students.

It gives schools free expert advice on how to decarbonise and save money on energy bills from local climate action advisers, including guidance on what financing is available for retrofit schemes and renewable energy.

Alex Green, head of Let’s Go Zero, said: “The huge potential of Great British Energy has always been about giving citizens and communities a real stake in – and direct benefit from – the clean growth story of the 21st century.

“It is great to see the first steps in that vision taking shape in schools and hospitals, which sit at the heart of every community.

“At Let’s Go Zero, we know solar on schools is a success, cutting bills, inspiring young people and strengthening vital public services.

“Schools often lead local clean energy initiatives but these efforts rely heavily on fundraising, with greater government support.”

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