Schools Energy Conference shows green-minded school children how to save energy – and money!
Solar energy was one of a range of green energy technologies on display at this event in the New Forest, joined by 85 local school children from 9 schools in the area. From cutting-edge electric cars to novel roof insulation made from sheep’s wool, children learned how their schools and families can reduce the amount of energy they use, cut their carbon emissions – and save money too.
Solarcentury displayed a large solar panel and small portable solar lamps, demonstrating the effectiveness of solar at different scales.
Jason Arnold, Construction Manager at Solarcentury said, “We wanted to take part again in the Schools Energy Conference because it’s a perfect opportunity to spread the word among young people about how we can all benefit from solar energy. Solar lamps can bring light when it’s dark, and solar energy generated by panels on the roof or from a solar farm in a field can help to power things in our homes like televisions and washing machines. And using solar energy is good news for the planet, because it’s clean energy, so it does not release carbon emissions into the atmosphere, helping the air we breathe to stay fresh and clean!”
Last year, Solarcentury installed a solar farm at nearby Lymington, for around 500 investors comprising West Solent Solar Co-operative (WSSC). The solar farm has now been generating for almost 18 months, and sheep were recently introduced to the site to graze over the winter.
Cathy Cook, a Board Director for WSSC said, “The solar farm is now multi-purpose: it generates clean energy for local homes; provides a habitat for local wildlife; and is now home to a flock of sheep who will safely graze there alongside the panels as they quietly generate solar electricity.”
The Schools Energy Conference is part of a programme of energy awareness-raising activities for junior-age children that have been devised by the Schools Energy Project. The project is run by New Forest Transition, and was started in 2012 with the aid of a grant from the New Forest National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund.
