Solar schools and Great British Energy’s first major project

Great British Energy has shared the news that it is investing £180m for solar to be installed on school rooftops and NHS buildings. As a team regularly installing solar on schools, and working closely with a number of NHS Trusts, Joju Solar enthusiastically welcomes this “first major project”.

 

The Great British Energy Plan

Great British Energy is owned by The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. As well as focusing on sustainability, the company aims to redirect millions of pounds to frontline services, targeting deprived areas. They forecast lifetime savings for schools and the NHS of up to £400m over 30 years.

In terms of timescales, the target is to install the first panels by the end of summer, to reduce the cost of energy bills. Schools and hospitals will also be able to sell surplus power back to the grid.

 

 

The current situation and potential savings

GB Energy suggests that currently, around one in five schools have solar panels installed.  The figure is fewer than one in ten for hospitals. Their estimates show that a typical school could save up to £25,000 a year if solar panels are installed alongside complementary tech, like battery storage. The potential average annual saving for NHS sites was shared as £45,000.

 

In their own words

Energy secretary Ed Miliband commented:

“Great British Energy’s first major project will be to help our vital public institutions save hundreds of millions on bills to reinvest on the frontline. Parents at the school gate and patients in hospitals will experience the difference Great British Energy can make. This is our clean energy superpower mission in action, with lower bills and energy security for our country.”

GB Energy chair, Jurgen Maier, said the project would be a testbed for future work, as the company looks to invest £8.3bn over the course of the current parliament.

In addition to the funding for schools and hospitals, local authorities and community energy groups will be supported with funds of almost £12m to help build local clean energy projects.

 

Joju Solar’s work with schools and the NHS

We’ve been helping to create solar schools for many years now and we’ve seen, first hand, the tangible difference it makes to communities.

From installing solar on 90 schools in Hampshire, to our ongoing, award-winning work with North Lincolnshire Council and North Lincolnshire Community Energy, it’s so rewarding supporting schools to reduce their energy bills, cut carbon, and inspire students.

As part of our installations, we’ve held workshops in schools and had lots of heart-warming discussion with young people, focusing on the green transition and the difference solar schools are making to their local communities. Students are always eager to share knowledge about creating a sustainable future, and we can’t wait to do more.

We’ve also been working with a number of NHS Trusts on different sustainability projects, and look forward to continuing and expanding our partnerships.

 

 

Be Inspired by energy from the sun, and the community impact  

2025 sign on a blue background

Looking forward to 2025 with Joe Michaels, Joju CEO

As 2024 comes to a close, we’ve been chatting with Joju Solar and Joju Charging Founder and CEO, Joe Michaels, to look forward to 2025.

Joe chats with Jenna about what the priorities are for Joju, and the impact he thinks community energy will continue to make.

Joe also shares his thoughts on the priorities for EV Charging Infrastructure and how important it is to get the right charge point in the right location – more so than the volume of EV charge points installed.

Turning to residential solar, Joe discusses his thoughts on battery storage and why it’s becoming central to many home energy systems.

Take a listen here for more thoughts from Joe.

We wish you a fantastic festive break and health and happiness in 2025.

Trophy for Joju Solar's award by Global Brands Magazine

Most innovative renewable energy brand, 2024

We’ve got some exciting news to share. Joju Solar is the winner of Global Brands Magazine’s award for Most Innovative Renewable Energy Brand in the UK.

Global Brands Magazine provides a guide to the world’s best brands, the awards are in their 12th year and a thorough research team evaluates the brand from top to toe, so we’re proud to come out as 2024 recipients.

The reaction

The Global Brands Magazine judging panel commented:

“Joju Solar has shown remarkable commitment to innovation, quality branding, customer experience and impressive overall performance in the renewable energy sector in the United Kingdom.”

And Joju’s Managing Director, Jacob Colton, said:

“It’s fantastic to receive this award for the most innovative renewable energy brand in the UK – a real credit to our hardworking teams, who are always focused on delivering excellence for our customers. It’s particularly pleasing to be recognised across residential and commercial solar and battery storage, as well as for the work we do in the public and private sectors to install EV Charging infrastructure. We’d like to thank our clients and partners as we continue to help shape the renewable energy sector and make a tangible difference by improving air quality and reducing energy costs”. 

Proud recipients

Huge congratulations go to our team and as Jacob said, a massive thank you to all our customers and partners.

After 18 years, we’re as committed to helping increase the uptake in solar, battery storage and EV Charging as we’ve always been.  Thanks to Global Brands Magazine for seeing that in us and recognising it.

Let’s talk!

If you’d like to partner with the UK’s most innovative renewable energy brand, whether you want solar for your business, your home, schools, universities, heritage or public sector buildings, please let us know. Or if you’re interested in battery storage or EV Charging Infrastructure, do contact us. We’d love to have a conversation about your next project.

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