The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced that an extra 50 schools across England will receive solar panel installations as part of the GB Energy Solar Partnerships programme (GBESP), with £20 million of additional funding. LocatED has led delivery so far, working with appointed partners Mace, Barker and AECOM, in supporting the government’s mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower. 

The expansion brings the total number of schools benefiting to over 250, up from the 200 originally announced in March, with all schools set to save an estimated £115 million over the panels’ lifetime. To date, LocatED has supported 23 schools nationwide through the GBESP, helping them cut energy bills. With strong interest and demand for the programme, an additional £20 million in funding will enable even more schools to save by switching to solar energy. 

With the installation of the solar panels, not only have schools been able develop their buildings to be more climate resilient, but they have been mobilised to reinvest their savings into vital school services.  

The announcement reflects the huge successes of the GBESP so far, and the progress which has been made by LocatED’s Net Zero Accelerator since its launch in 2023. 

The planned expansion of the programme marks great progress in the collaborative work between the government and Great British Energy and is fundamental for accelerating towards the clean energy by 2030 mission.  

 The scheme will continue to target schools and colleges in areas of England that are most in need. As such, the schools that have been selected, are primarily clustered in areas of deprivation in the North East, West Midlands and North West.