The Radcliffe School leads the charge for community-owned solar in Milton Keynes schools
The Radcliffe School in Wolverton has become the first school to benefit from Milton Keynes Community Energy’s new “1 MW Solar for MK Schools” campaign. This transformative initiative in partnership with Solar for Schools, combines solar installations with tailormade educational days at schools. The aim is to install over 1 MW of community-owned solar power over the next 18 months.
The Solar Installation
During half term in October 2024, 112 solar panels were installed on Radcliffe School’s roof, providing 50 kWp of capacity. This system is expected to generate 45,000 kWh of clean energy annually, significantly reducing the school’s carbon footprint by 9.5 tonnes of CO₂ each year.
Milton Keynes Community Energy (MKCE) covered the upfront capital costs, including installation, and will continue to maintain the solar PV system. This leaves Radcliffe School only having to pay for the energy the school uses, and at a lower than market price, thereby reducing long term operational costs as their solar provides cheaper, greener energy for the school in future.
The drone footage above shows our community-owned solar installation getting underway at Radcliffe School in Wolverton, MK during October 2024 half term. The school now has 112 solar PV panels on its roof which are estimated to generate 45,000 kWh of solar power each year and reduce their carbon emissions by 9,535 tonnes from year one. (Images courtesy of Starkey Productions)
“We would never have been able to purchase and install solar panels on our own. It has been invaluable for us to work with MK Community Energy to be able to deliver this. Head teachers across Milton Keynes need to know about this opportunity!”
Paula Lawson
Head Teacher, The Radcliffe School
“With such a wide market of solar providers, finding the right one to work with can be incredibly difficult. That’s why this partnership between Milton Keynes Community Energy and Solar for Schools is a game changer for MK schools. Working with them has been straightforward, and the benefits are remarkable. With their help, we’re not only reducing our operational costs but also giving our students a unique opportunity to engage with renewable energy in a meaningful way - one that directly benefits our local community.”
Jason Falkner
Business Manager, The Radcliffe School
Solar Education Day: Empowering the Next Generation
As part of the partnership, a Solar Education Day took place at Radcliffe School on 19 December 2024. Representatives from MKCE, Solar for Schools, and (solar installers) Spirit Energy hosted interactive discussion sessions with Year 7 and 8 students for the day.
Danielle Parker, Solar for Schools’ Community and Education Development Manager, along with co-facilitator Denise Brown, led dynamic and participatory educational sessions that energised and inspired students.
Throughout the day, Year 7 and 8 students, along with the school’s Student Voice group, engaged in interactive discussions and workshops exploring renewable energy concepts. These hands-on sessions connected curriculum topics directly to the school’s solar installation while delving into the benefits of community-owned energy and career opportunities in the renewable energy sector.
MKCE co-founder and voluntary Director Jane Grindey, Solar for Schools Operations Director Robert Goss, and Aidan Murphy, Head of Commercial at Spirit Energy, were present to support the workshops and answer students’ questions.
To mark this significant milestone, MP for Milton Keynes North Chris Curtis, Councillor Shanika Mahendran, Cabinet Member for Economy, Sustainability, and Innovation at Milton Keynes City Council, and newly appointed Milton Keynes Community Energy Directors’ Alex Hansford and Alex Poppleton joined a meeting with the Student Council. Together, they shared their enthusiasm for the project and celebrated the school’s leadership in sustainability.
“It’s inspiring to see Radcliffe School leading the way in adopting community-owned solar in Milton Keynes. Transformative community energy projects like this are fantastic for many reasons – the benefits are local, it supports our schools and generates clean energy!
I look forward to working with MK Community Energy and Solar for Schools to ensure that more schools across Milton Keynes can follow in their footsteps.”
Chris Curtis
MP for Milton Keynes North
“It’s great that there are supportive organisations like this to help schools take such an important step. Learning about solar power and renewables not only equips these young people with valuable knowledge but also opens doors to exciting career opportunities in the growing renewable energy industry.”
Shanika Mahendran
Cabinet Member for Economy, Sustainability and Innovation at Milton Keynes City Council
Community Impact and Long-Term Vision
This project supports Milton Keynes’ ambition to become carbon neutral by 2030, contributing to reduced energy costs, sustainability leadership, and community benefits through MKCE’s reinvestment in local initiatives like Home Energy MK.
All schools taking part in the scheme are also eligible for tailor-made educational support, where students learn about solar energy, sustainability, and climate change through monitoring the performance of their school’s solar, year on year.
Join the Programme
MKCE invites other Milton Keynes schools to join this programme and take a step toward financial savings and sustainability leadership.
For more information about how solar can bring long-term value to your school and community, visit: https://mkcommunityenergy.co.uk/1mw-mk-schools or email us at: [email protected]
Images courtesy of Starkey Productions
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