Rooftop solar panels reduce electricity bill at Thomas Telford University Technical College by 66 percent
Thomas Telford University Technical College (UTC) has reduced its annual electricity costs by 66 percent through the installation of a DC-optimized rooftop solar system.
As well as producing renewable energy for the college, the panels are also serving as an educational tool for students.
The panels were installed as part of a £12.6 million project aiming to create an energy efficient campus for students that was funded by the School Capital Funding Scheme and generate 277 MWh of renewable energy each year.
Most of the energy from the panels is used on-site to power the school’s operations, while surplus at weekends and holidays is sold to the national grid, generating additional revenue for the school.
Fitted by Kembla Limited, the panels have advanced safety features and permanent edge protection to prevent the need for temporary scaffolding during maintenance. The system will shut down if an alarm is triggered and firefighters can quickly and safely access the roof.
These safety features have created an added benefit of providing a secure rooftop area for students to safely observe the finished solar system.
Richard Rhodes, Buildings and Fabrics Manager at Thomas Telford UTC, says: "As a school specialising in environment, design and build, the solar installation has become an invaluable asset. It not only significantly reduces our electricity costs but also generates new revenue, allowing us to invest more money in student education, upgrading equipment and maintaining our facilities. Beyond the financial benefits, it aligns perfectly with our commitment to sustainability and curriculum enrichment, providing students with an engaging learning tool.
“Our students have shown tremendous interest in the solar installation. It’s great that we have a safe space on our roof to demonstrate the panels and the equipment involved in the generation of solar power. Additionally, we use the SolarEdge App to show students the benefits [of solar energy] and how it is distributed across our site.”
