Renewables for Schools

Hi!

I've noticed that some people have mentioned that they'e installed wind turbines and solar panels at their schools. That sounds amazing, and something I really want to emulate. Can you give me any information that might help? Type and cost would be really useful.

By the way, does anyone know how the renewables grant system works? It all appears very confusing to me. Perhaps you could shed some light on it (and on a solar panel).

Ah. That was a terrible pun.

Patrick. 

Hello Patrick,

My school is doing such stuff, but please don't get me started on that one. The school is just doing it for appearance not because they want to.

But facts and figures, i think it took along time to get it through the school system and it cost ALOT about £7000 i think but i'm not so sure, I'll find the link to my school in a sec.

http://www.hardenhuish.wilts.sch.uk/hardenhuish/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=57&Itemid=28

And the Hardenhuish 'green group' is the one i set up without the schools help and neither did i give them permission to prop up their own agenda.

Anyway. Hope this info helps.

Shirley

Saving The World.:

Hello Patrick,

My school is doing such stuff, but please don't get me started on that one. The school is just doing it for appearance not because they want to.

Hi Saving the world

I dont want to get you started...

but...

The shear fact that people, schools and business find themselves "doing it for the appearance" is remarkable. It means that a shift is happening!

It means that businesses have identified being GREEN and/or SUSTAINABLE is a commercial benefit as the public at large are starting to expect it.

What ever the politics behind the decision surely the result is justified if it is a move towards a sustainable way of life?  

... I love reading your posts 

erm. My old school once i had become a cliamte change champion started to recycle paper, ink catridges etc. They even started gardening and have really took the cliamte change buissness serious I was very happy about this issue that was really important. 

Hi Richard

Thank you, I like writing them (hopefully some blogs soon =])

I suppose you're right but it just doesn't make sense when my school pays (around) £7000 for renewables and they don't even have white paper recycling bins for every classroom (which cost much less).

I'm going to see the school council about this on tuesday and i'll try and do a blog on it.

Shirley

Saving The World.:

Hi Richard

I suppose you're right but it just doesn't make sense when my school pays (around) £7000 for renewables and they don't even have white paper recycling bins for every classroom (which cost much less).

Humn...

You are absolutely right, we ALL need to consider the resources we use ALL of the time.

Your response made me think of a post I wrote in "what should Hayleigh ask Hilary". People need to realise that we need to make a behavioural change and not just throw money at the problem.

I now understand the point you were making

I watched a program a while ago about carbon offsetting and it is basically paying someone else to sort out the problem. Or like getting someone else to go on a diet for you (while you still eat cake).

I think it is a good idea but people need to make lifestyle changes not just show they have lots of money.

Shirley

Saving The World.:

I watched a program a while ago about carbon offsetting and it is basically paying someone else to sort out the problem. Or like getting someone else to go on a diet for you (while you still eat cake).

That made me chuckle. I suggest that you should highlight to your school that all aspects of the school facility and the building should be eco assessed - then there would be real commitment.

You might be interested to know that we did a school roadshow in Tonbridge on Friday (see the pics in the photo gallery) - the primary we visited was an eco school (Slade Primary) and during the morning assembly, the head asked the students to tell us about the eco activities of the school - well lots of little eager hands went up and they all had a good idea of what the school policy was and how they were all responsible for implementing it. It was truely impressive and inspiring to see what can be achieved.

Go Go Shirley - I'm sure you have what it takes to tackle this nut and crack it - we're all here to support

Hi Swampy, 

I'm trying to get things started at my school but the have all these people you have to check with and everything has to go through the headteacher, so it takes quite a long time (It makes it so easy to get frustarted and give up, but we'll keep trying).

I saw some of the pictures of your roadshow and it looked great. With my £1000 I am (hopefully) going to have a big event at my school, so I was wondering if the footprint friends team be interested in coming? I'm going to ask Sustrans and the Wiltshire Wildlife trust to come in as well and (fingers crossed) Marcus Brigstocke (though that might be a tad ambitious) and others.

Shirley

Sounds good to me - if the dates are OK for us, we'll be there!!

GreenFrog:

Hi!

I've noticed that some people have mentioned that they'e installed wind turbines and solar panels at their schools. That sounds amazing, and something I really want to emulate. Can you give me any information that might help? Type and cost would be really useful.

By the way, does anyone know how the renewables grant system works? It all appears very confusing to me. Perhaps you could shed some light on it (and on a solar panel).

Ah. That was a terrible pun.

Patrick. 

Hi Patrick,

The Energy Savings Trust & the local council are places where it is possible to get grants for wind turbines and solar panels.

The only snag is that your school has to pay a percentage of the cost then you have to get planning permission and so much red tape. You tend to get passed from one department to another and the whole process drags on and on, you'll have to have lots of patience and determination, but I am sure you can do it.

Our mini windturbine, eco friendly pc and solar trolley were all won through competitions.

If anyone in authority is reading this please can you cut down on red tape. Help Us to Help the world ,we are trying to do our bit!

David

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/