Schools are solar starsPosted by Green Streets Team
THREE schools in Richmond have installed solar panels in an attempt to lower their carbon footprint.
Thanks to grants from Richmond Council and British Gas, The Russell School, Meadlands and Strathmore are using the technology to save each school £1,300 a year by harnessing free energy from the sun.
A special assembly was held at The Russell School, in Petersham Road, to mark the official switch-on on Friday.
Headteacher Darren Harrison said: "I am very happy to have our solar panels generating electricity for our school and hence reducing our carbon footprint. It is wonderful for the children to see the digital display which reveals how much carbon we have saved as well as how much electricity we have generated. Being able to inform the children that we are currently saving engouh electricity to power all the lights in our junior building is very tangible to the. "Our next step is to have a web box fitted which will allow us to monitor the solar panels' data within the classroom. This will enable the data to be used within lessons and highlight regularaly the importance of reducing our carbon footprint."
All three schools received the grants as they are located in the Ham and Petersham low carbon zone, a community-led project tomake homes warmer, greener and more efficient to run.
