An eco-friendly community group has launched a bid to fund the largest solar-panel roof installation in Greater Manchester at a secondary school in Altrincham. The ‘solar array’ at Wellington School in Timperley will cover the school roofs with nearly 1,000 solar panels to generate enough electricity to make more than 16 million cups of tea a year.
Volunteer group Greater Manchester Community Renewables (GMCR) has launched a share offer to raise cash for the scheme. It will help the school save money on its energy bills and reduce its carbon footprint.
Stuart Beeley, headteacher at Wellington School, said: “The climate crisis will have a massive impact on the lives of our students so we have a duty to them to reduce our school’s carbon footprint.
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“Partnering with GMCR will give our parents and the local community a chance to be part of this journey to make our school more sustainable.”
Altrincham Green Party councillor on Trafford council Michael Welton, who is also a parent of two students at Wellington School, said: “As a parent and nearby local councillor, I put Wellington School in touch with GMCR as soon as I heard about this opportunity. It is great to see things moving so swiftly and we hope lots of people in the local community will get involved.
“We need to move fast if we are to prevent climate disaster. Community energy schemes are a great way to do this, while earning the school big savings on its energy bills. The solar panels will also generate income for local people and funding for community projects, money that would otherwise disappear into the huge profits of massive energy companies.”
GMCR was set up in 2015 and has more than 230 members who have funded solar arrays at eight primary schools in Salford and Bury, and a community centre in Trafford.
The solar panels have so far generated enough electricity to charge more than 65 million smartphones, saved upwards of £70,000 on their energy bills and prevented 300 tonnes of carbon emissions from polluting power stations.
GMCR director Kate Eldridge said: “We’ve launched our most ambitious share offer yet to raise £350,000 to fund a solar array at Wellington School.
“Our project has shown that when people come together we can make a real difference to the environment and the local community.
“With the public's help another school will soon be able to benefit from clean, cheap renewable energy.
“By investing as little as £100, they can support the transition to a sustainable future. ”
The community share offer is open to individuals, businesses and organisations. Anyone who buys shares will be eligible for share interest of up to five per cent and GMCR aims to repay the shares over the next 10 years.
Profits are donated to a community fund to support carbon reduction, energy efficiency and environmental education. The share offer is open until June 30. Those interested in investing are advised to read the Share Offer fully and take appropriate financial advice.For more information visit www.gmcr.org.uk/invest
