SUN IS SHINING ON ORCHARD COUNTY PRIMARY SCHOOL

8 Jun 2010

Renewable energy is the way forward for a school in Portadown committed to reducing its carbon footprint. Orchard County Primary School has installed solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with help from the Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) SMART programme!



Orchard County Primary School has installed a 5kWP solar PV system on the roof of the school building which will produce over 3,000 units of clean environmentally friendly electricity every year, a significant saving on the school’s energy bills.



Michael Crawford, Eco Teacher at the school, says the school is committed to saving energy. He says, “We feel that it is extremely important for us to set a good example to our pupils and the local community by embracing a renewable ‘clean’ energy. Solar panels were the best choice of renewable energy technology for our school and we are delighted to have them installed.”



Orchard County Primary School is an Eco School with Green Flag status. Mr Crawford adds, “The school’s Eco Club works to minimise the carbon footprint of the school and they are very enthusiastic about the various initiatives that we now have in place. We recycle our paper and printer ink cartridges and we also have vegetable patches on the school grounds. The solar panels and all the energy saving measures at the school are an inspiration and important educational resource for our pupils, staff and parents. They have helped us to think seriously about conserving energy at school, work and at home.”



Sarah Beldon, from NIE Energy, visited the school this week and was delighted to see the interest that the pupils have taken in the solar panels. She said, “Northern Ireland has great potential for solar power and it is fantastic to see our schools leading the way in creating a sustainable future. Renewable energy technologies will not only cut the carbon dioxide emitted into the local environment and reduce the school’s energy costs, but they also provide the teachers with valuable practical examples. The useful learning information, for example, the data from the PV display units is helping the school children to understand how much energy their solar panels are generating so that they can work out how much they are saving for their school.”



To find out more about saving energy and renewable energy solutions for your home, school or business check out the NIE Energy website www.nie-yourenergy.co.uk . The NIE SMART Programme is funded by Northern Ireland Electricity and managed by NIE Energy.

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