Help Betty Layward Primary School go Solar!

This fundraiser is organised by BETTY LAYWARD SCHOOL PTFA.

Tax deductible

We are fundraising to install solar panels on our roof. Having solar panels will enable the school to reduce our carbon footprint and work towards a more climate-friendly future. Help our school spend less on bills and more on our children's education!

The story so far …

A brilliant local community energy non-profit, set up by several former Betty Layward parents, Stokey Energy, carried out a successful solar panel Feasibility Assessment at Betty Layward earlier in 2023.

The assessment has shown that installing solar panels would help the school:

lower our energy bills
cut our carbon emissions, by generating energy from the sun
shade our roof, to keep kids and teachers cooler in summer with less need for electric fans

So … what could we do?

During the Feasibility Assessment the school's roof was checked and measured and planning permission for installing the panels was obtained.

We think we could fit up to 135 panels on our roof, which could potentially:

generate up to 40% of the electricity we need to run our school
save between £13,000-£23,000 each year
reduce our carbon emissions by 10 tonnes every year

But what would it cost?

Buying and installing the solar panels might cost up to £60,000.

Each panel, bought, installed and generating energy on our roof will cost around £400.

An inverter, needed to complete the system and turn it into usable energy, will cost around £1800.

We will need racking to house the solar panels on the roof, wiring to connect them, and a professional, MCS-accredited team to design, install and commission the system with a 10-year warranty.

With Stokey Energy's support we will be applying for a grant of up to 66% available from Hackney Council's Community Energy Fund, but we will need to fundraise for the remaining 30% of costs. We will be looking for other sources of grant funding, and we will need your help to raise the rest.

Every pound we raise will bring us one step closer to another panel on the roof, another metre of wiring, another hour of the team's time to supply and fit the system and set it working.

What can you do?

We have been spreading the word about this project and we've got some great feedback from the school community. Here are a few comments from our information stand at the Winter Fair:

'It is so important to leave a legacy for our whole community - this doesn't just benefit our kids but the wider Stokey community.'

'This is a really good way to help the future generation to understand climate change'.

'Energy independence is key.'

'So good to see Betty getting greener!'

Whether you make a donation now (please don't forget to add GiftAid!), research sources of grant fundraising, organise an event, take on a challenge, or fundraise your own way, we would be hugely grateful for your support.

Please spread the word to family, friends and co-workers.

- Could you ask your employer about match-funding your donation or fundraising?

- Could you challenge your work colleagues or friends to a fundraising goal?

This is a GREAT project - not only will it reduce our bills and our carbon footprint, but it is also an opportunity to teach our pupils about the importance of working together as a community for a more sustainable future.

There are likely to be further ways we can change our behaviours and equipment to reduce the school's energy use and mitigate its impact on the environment so we are keen to hear ideas from the school community.

About donations

Ticking the GiftAid box when you make a donation will raise an extra 25% on top of your donation, at no cost to you. All the donations given towards this project will be used for this project. If we raise more than we expect, or if for any reason the funds are not needed, the funds raised will be used to engage in activities or provide facilities or equipment which support the school and advance the education of our pupils.

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