New solar panels have been installed at a primary school and a family hub in Rochdale borough, with thousands of pounds in annual energy savings expected.
Bowlee Park Community Primary School in Middleton and Derby Street Best Start Family Hub in Heywood have both received the panels as part of a £150000 investment programme.
The work has been funded through Rochdale Borough Council alongside external support from Great British Energy through Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Each site can now generate electricity on site, reducing reliance on the grid and lowering running costs.
At Bowlee Park Community Primary School, the system produces 138.86 kilowatt peak, supplying around 37 percent of the school’s annual electricity use. This is expected to save about £21000 each year.
At Derby Street Best Start Family Hub, the panels generate 49.82 kilowatt peak, covering around 33 percent of energy use and saving up to £8000 annually.
The council said the installations will also cut carbon emissions. The Derby Street site is expected to reduce emissions by around 8.78 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, while Bowlee is expected to cut around 25.38 tonnes.
Councillor Tricia Ayrton said the council is committed to reducing emissions and supporting environmental improvements across the borough. She said the installations form part of wider efforts to protect the local environment and expand renewable energy use.
Councillor Rachel Massey said the panels also provide an opportunity to educate children and young people about environmental responsibility and the importance of reducing carbon emissions.
Aleks Hartshorne, headteacher at Bowlee Park Community Primary School, said the panels will support both learning and cost savings. He said the school is contributing to wider efforts to reduce energy use while benefiting the local environment.
Councillor Tom Ross from Greater Manchester Combined Authority said the scheme shows how partnership working can support schools while promoting action on climate change.
Further installations are planned across the borough later this year, including at the new Littleborough Best Start Family Hub, which is currently undergoing renovation works.
The council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 and is aiming to become carbon neutral by 2038 in line with Greater Manchester targets.
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