How Can Schools Get Funding for Solar Panels?

With energy costs still high, installing solar panels in your school can slash energy bills and free up funds for teaching and resources. Solar is also a great way to show your commitment to sustainability and the future of the young people you educate. 

To install solar panels, you don’t need to rely solely on your school’s budget. Public funding programmes, local authority schemes and new initiatives such as Great British Energy’s investment in rooftop solar can cover much of the installation cost. 

Rough costs of installing solar panels in a school

Without more information, it’s difficult to calculate the exact cost of installing solar panels in a school. This depends on the type of panels, and the area which needs covering (and many more factors).

That said, we can usually break down costs into 3 categories based on the size of your school and/or the system you’re hoping to install:

For smaller systems, such as those needed for smaller primary schools or a partial array on a larger building, we’d suggest you may pay anywhere from £10,000 to £35,000.

For medium systems, on bigger primary schools or most standard secondary schools, the costs may be anywhere between £40,000 and £80,000. 

Finally, for the larger solar installations, such as college buildings and large-scale secondary schools, prices could exceed £100,000. 

For the most accurate estimate of how expensive a solar panel system would be for your school building, get in touch with Nightingale Energy today.

Can schools get funding for solar panels?

Yes, schools can get funding for solar panels. There are various government grants, incentives and private organisations which may help to fund solar panels.  

There are also options such as community energy groups, power purchase agreements and community investment schemes. 

It’s important to fully understand your funding options, and that’s why it's crucial to work with trusted solar panel installers to apply for funding opportunities. 

Current grants, subsidies and funding options for solar panels in schools

There are currently various funding options available for solar panels in UK schools, through government initiatives, community and cooperative models and other support options:  

• Salix finance loans - For public sector institutions (such as schools) Salix finance offers interest-free loans to cover the full capital cost of solar PV installation. This makes managing upfront solar installation costs much easier for schools. 

• Power purchase agreements - A third party investor installs and maintains your solar panels. Your school can then purchase this generated electricity at a fixed fee, much cheaper than the usual off-the-grid rate of electricity. 

• Community energy schemes - community schemes partner with local groups to install solar panels on school buildings. The benefit of such schemes is that they typically include no upfront costs for your school. 

The options for funding solar in schools are changing regularly, and the best way to understand your options is by working alongside a trusted and experienced solar installer. 

How to get started with funding for solar panels in schools

To get started with funding for solar panels in schools, you can begin by identifying which government-backed schemes your school might qualify for. However, this is not always easy to discover, so working with an installer for advice on how to secure the right funding is vital.   

Next, we’ll help you review local authority and regional energy programmes that support renewable upgrades. Some councils offer match-funding or low-interest loans.

We may also explore private partnerships or community crowdfunding to cover remaining costs. Combining grants with schemes such as the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) allows your school to sell surplus electricity back to the grid, generating additional income.

Securing funding isn’t always as simple as finding a body to cover all of the costs upfront. Often, we’ll need to help you find a variety of sources to cover the full costs of installation and maintenance. 

Just get in touch with us to discuss your options, we’re happy to help!