Solar panels fitted to roof of city school

Pupils at the Northern Parade schools in front of the new solar panels

Picture: Land Rover BAR — Pupils at the Northern Parade schools in front of the new solar panels Picture: Land Rover BAR

TWO schools are doing their bit for the environment by having solar panels fitted as part of a project with Portsmouth's America's Cup sailing team.

Northern Parade Junior and Infant Schools, in Hilsea, will see their carbon emissions reduced thanks to the equipment, which has an expected annual production of 64,754kWh – enough to power 21 homes.

The school has worked with renewable energy investment company Low Carbon and the 1851 Trust, the charity set up by Land Rover BAR, which is based at The Camber in Old Portsmouth.

Year 5 pupil Evie Jull, nine, said: ‘It’s good because it’s saving electricity and the sunlight comes into the solar panels to make it lighter and make it a greener school.

‘It shows that we are environmentally friendly.’

Executive headteacher Sue Wilson said it is good for the pupils to have a better understanding of renewable energy.

‘The future is theirs and they have got to look after this planet,’ she said. ‘We do quite a bit around the ecosystem and how they need to look after the planet for themselves and their future generations.’

Councillor Neill Young is in charge of children and education at Portsmouth City Council.