Launching Solar Schools in Wales

Jocelyn Davies AM, Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration has visited Pontlottyn Primary School, near Bargoed, to see its new Solar Panel system.

Last year, United Welsh was given £317,000 from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Heads of the Valleys programme to pay for 12 schools in Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent to fit rooftop Solar Panels.

Ms Davies said:

“I am not only impressed with the physical elements of this project, but with the commitment of these schools to working with their children to teach them about climate change. Even more important are the practical lessons that will result in families understanding the issues and doing what they can to increase energy efficiency and reduce waste in their own homes. Energy bills will be reduced in schools, but also for individual families.

“The lessons learnt from this will give us invaluable information to help us to work sustainably with other schools in Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent and throughout Wales.”

The first schools to benefit from the project were Pontlottyn Primary School and Heolddu Comprehensive School. Surveys for the remaining 10 schools are underway and all installation work will be completed by April.

The aim of the project is to help the schools to reduce their carbon footprint and as an education tool to boost low carbon learning.   A partnership has been created between Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent Councils, United Welsh and Solar Century - who have developed a schools programme - Solar4Schools.

28th January 2010

The children of Pontlottyn Primary School proudly showing off their new solar panel's to representatives of WAG, CCBC, and United Welsh.