West London – Perivale Primary School

In 2019 Schools' Energy Co-operative celebrated their 50th installation at Perivale Primary School, in Ealing, West London. The Schools’ Energy Co-op were brought on-board thanks to local sustainability group, Ealing Transition, who take practical, local action on climate change, energy and food security.

Audrey Daley, Headteacher at Perivale Primary School said: “When we were told about the opportunity to install solar panels and generate our own clean, green energy it made perfect sense for us to get involved; it fits perfectly with the ethos of our school... We’re able to show the children how we’re making a difference and reducing our carbon footprint. The whole project has helped us think more carefully about how we use energy, and now we’re taking steps to become even more energy efficient, switching much of our lighting to LEDs.”

Reflecting on the looming closure of the government's Feed in Tariff scheme, Mike Smyth, volunteer chair, Schools’ Energy Co-operative continued: “This is a brilliant milestone for the Schools’ Energy Co-operative but it is also bittersweet, as it comes in the wake of government closing the Feed in Tariff scheme. The closure of the Feed in Tariff means that fewer schools will be able to install solar. Now only schools that fit a particular, narrow criteria in terms of geographical position and type of roof will be able to develop financially viable schemes"

"We, along with others in the community energy sector, are calling on government for the reinstatement of the Feed in Tariff or an alternative policy solution that supports community organisations working to make publicly owned buildings more energy efficient and powered by renewable sources. It's a clear way to show young people we want to invest in a sustainable future for them."