Solar panels to drive RGS's sustainable green future

RIPON Grammar School is delighted to announce plans for solar panels which will ensure a quarter of its electricity is supplied through green energy.

The school has submitted a planning application to North Yorkshire County Council for 990 solar panels to generate its own renewable electricity, with little environmental impact.

Sensitive to the fact that one of the school buildings is Grade II listed, the planned solar panels will be placed to the back and will not be seen from the ground.

Headmaster Jonathan Webb said the solar panels were part of the school’s sustainable green future: "We are delighted to announce that we have worked successfully with Solar for Schools to ensure 25 per cent of our electricity needs can be delivered through green energy at a competitive price.

"This has been something students have raised with me on several occasions over the years.


"The initiative sits alongside our other energy and ecological initiatives such as installing a new energy-efficient swimming pool boiler and cover and replacing old-fashioned high wattage lights with energy saving LED lighting across the site.

"We have also committed to planting thousands of individual trees and saplings for hedging on our site, just part of our ongoing commitment to a better environment.”

As part of the school’s continuing commitment to cutting waste and saving energy, new low wattage computers have also been installed. And new water bottle filling stations have been established throughout the school, with the support of the student-led eco-committee, which is committed to increasing the amount the school recycles while aiming for ‘plastic free’ status in the near future.

The school’s planning application states: “It is important to note that the visual appearance of the solar panels is appropriate for the school building in order to enhance the visionary appearance of the site as an up-to-date centre for learning while creating responsible citizens for tomorrow’s world with an appreciation for their surroundings and a duty of care for the environment.

“The panels would have a positive impact on the character of the buildings and no detrimental impact to the listed building, their environs or the look of the surrounding area and will only aid in the development of the school.”