This report seeks approval for the Council to undertake an invest to save programme to install solar photovoltaic panels (PV) on maintained schools in Herefordshire.

The proposal is to develop power purchase agreements (PPA) with schools so that there is no upfront cost for schools for the solar PV systems. Here schools would share the financial benefit through discounted costs for the renewable energy and the income from the sale of the energy would be used to repay the capital investment and further reduce the council’s energy bill.

This project will contribute towards the council’s commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030/31, will help to improve local energy security and will generate financial savings for both schools and the council.

That:

a)    The council invests £1,130,000 in solar PV across the 27 identified schools as detailed in appendix 1; and

b)    The Assistant Director for Regulatory, Environment and Waste Services in consultation with the S151 officer be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to implement the project.

1.         Not to invest in Solar PV across the schools estate.

This is not recommended as the council will not be able to support schools to reduce their energy costs and carbon footprint, this will negatively impact the council’s ability to deliver the County Plan objective to become carbon neutral and will not result in significant financial savings to the council.