Eyam Primary rallied the community to support their solar panel project and help raise funds
The idea to install photovoltaic (PV) solar panels at our school came from my own positive experience with solar power at home. But I wondered if a small school like Eyam Primary could ever raise the necessary funds. Then, a few years ago, we hosted Ghazala Ahmad-Mear, who took part in The South Pole Energy Challenge – the first polar expedition powered entirely by renewable energy. Ghazala’s insights on the climate crisis sparked a strong sense of purpose, and in response, we galvanised the community to back the solar panels project and help raise the money.
We became the first small school in the Peak District to install PVs, blazing a trail for other schools to follow. We partnered with a Climate Action Adviser from the Let’s Go Zero campaign. Hope Valley Climate Action, a local community group dedicated to addressing the climate emergency, generously donated £4,000 towards the installation costs. We also received a grant of £2,500 from the Garfield Weston Foundation in the environment category. To secure this funding, we submitted an online application outlining our vision and the climate initiatives we were implementing as part of our Eco School programme, including detailed costings, media and reports. In addition, the PTFA raised about £4,500 through the village bonfire event, which features our famous burning of the Eyam rat.
Our school eco team was also involved in fundraising. They contacted local businesses, asking for support by writing letters, and made a video for our Aviva crowdfunding page, which raised more than £4,400.
Local company Smart Homes Electrical installed the panels and answered our many questions. Once our new equipment was installed, pupils used a mini solar panel from Hope Valley Climate Action to analyse the impact of angle, cloud cover and panel orientation on our electricity production. We hosted a climate ambassador who spoke about sustainable farming, and a community beekeeper who gave a presentation. We are now proud holders of the Eco Schools Green Flag with Distinction for 2025.
By installing the solar panels, we have been able to reduce our electricity costs. Our next task is to present this information to the PTFA and ask them to support our request for batteries that would allow us to store energy and sell it back to the national grid during peak-use times at a higher export rate.
- Oona Gilbertson is headteacher at Eyam CofE Primary School, Eyam, Derbyshire (69 pupils)
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