The table below provides estimates of the potential benefits and costs of installing different quantities of solar PV panels at your school

Capacity(kWp)	Panels	Area (m2)	Annual self consumed solar electricity (kWh)	Annual exported solar electricity (kWh)	Annual output from panels (kWh)	Reduction in mains consumption	Annual saving	Estimated cost	Payback years
1	3	4	940	0	940	1.1%	£110	£2,400	21 years
2	7	10	1,900	0	1,900	2.3%	£220	£3,200	14 years
4	13	19	3,700	1.4	3,700	4.5%	£450	£4,800	11 years
8	27	39	7,100	420	7,500	8.5%	£870	£7,900	9 years
12	40	58	9,600	1,600	11,000	12%	£1,200	£11,000	9 years
16	53	76	12,000	3,300	15,000	14%	£1,600	£14,000	9 years
32	107	154	17,000	13,000	30,000	21%	£2,700	£26,000	10 years

Installing solar PV at your school will reduce the electricity you consume from the national grid, and reduce your school's carbon emissions. Your PTA might be prepared to help you raise some of the cost of installing the panels.

The estimates in the table assume you have roof space and that is it roughly south facing - as this is best for schools whose peak demand is during the middle of the day when south facing panels produce the most electricity.

The benefits of solar PV will be reduced if you make your school more energy efficient. However, if you want your school to reduce its carbon emissions you should consider both installing solar panels and reducing your electricity consumption.