Milton Keynes Community Energy (MKCE) and Solar for Schools have joined forces to launch the transformative “1MW Solar for MK Schools” campaign, bringing a unique combination of community-owned solar power and sustainability education to schools across Milton Keynes.
The Radcliffe School in Wolverton has proudly become the first school to join this ground-breaking initiative, showcasing the potential for schools to lead the way in renewable community energy adoption and climate education.
The Radcliffe School: Leading by Example
In October 2024, Radcliffe School took a bold step toward a greener future with the installation of 112 solar panels, delivering 50 kWp of solar capacity. This system is projected to generate an impressive 45,000 kWh of electricity annually, reducing the school’s carbon footprint by 9.5 tonnes of CO₂ and providing significant energy and operational cost savings to the school for the long term.
The excitement around the school’s adoption of the new “1MW Solar for MK Schools” initiative reached new heights on 19 December 2024 when 450 students took part in a solar education day at Radcliffe School. Working alongside the school leadership team, representatives from Solar for Schools, Spirit Energy and MK Community Energy combined to facilitate hands-on workshops and discussions about renewable energy, community power, and careers in the green economy tailored to different year groups over the course of the day.
Voices of support
In addition to endorsements from staff and students, the campaign has drawn support from key figures in the community:
Chris Curtis, MP for Milton Keynes North, praised the initiative:
“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.”
Councillor Shanika Mahendran, Cabinet Member for Economy, Sustainability, and Innovation, shared her enthusiasm:
“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.”
Why schools should join
The “1MW Solar for MK Schools” campaign is an incredible opportunity for schools to benefit in numerous ways:
- Effortless solar adoption: MKCE and Solar for Schools handle everything from upfront costs to installation and maintenance.
- Cost savings: Schools only pay for the energy they use, at rates lower than market prices.
- Local impact: Profits stay within Milton Keynes, funding vital community energy programmes like Home Energy MK.
- Student engagement: Year after year, students gain hands-on learning about renewable energy and climate action.
- Recognition as sustainability leaders: Participating schools will be at the forefront of sustainability in Milton Keynes.
