John backs campaign for solar powered schools

John Healey MP is backing a Friends of the Earth campaign to help Rotherham and Barnsley schools to save thousands of pounds by installing solar power.

Through the Dearne Valley Eco-vision, which John chairs, Dearne schools are leading the way in solar. One school – Swinton Fitzwilliam – is set to have solar panels up and working later this month and the eco-schools project, working with Sheffield Renewables, expects more schools in the area to follow suit.

John said: “This is a fantastic initiative and I’m proud we are leading the way in the Dearne with schools run on sun.

“A school could save up to £8,000 a year by going solar, at the same time as reducing carbon emissions and helping children learn about clean energy.

“Investing in solar saves money and creates jobs and we need much more of it in our communities.”

Friends of the Earth’s Run on Sun campaign wants all schools to be able to be powered by solar power. It is raising awareness of the benefits and signposting schools to different funding methods, as well as running a national competition for schools to win solar panels.

The charity’s renewable energy campaigner Anna Watson added: “It’s fantastic to have John Healey’s support. The potential of solar power is enormous and with his support we can help more schools to save money through solar power, bringing renewable energy right into the heart of our towns and cities.”