Solar PV Solutions For The Education Sector

Powering education with renewable, sustainable energy to reduce electricity bills by up to 30%.

Fully Funded Solar Solution Calculator

Shawton Energy works with the further and higher education sector to harness solar power by installing 100% fully funded, high-quality Solar PV systems, utilising extensive rooftop space in a unique way.

We understand that budgets are tight in the education sector, yet there is a desire to further the Net Zero journey for both the benefit of the community, students and staff. At Shawton Energy, we work with Universities and Colleges to deliver fully funded solar solutions that not only reduce their carbon footprint extensively but also reduce their energy spend, allowing them to additionally repurpose funds to other areas. Additionally, we feel that the subject of renewable energy is important for the students to understand, and we work with our customers to deliver this message through lectures and tours of the solar facilities.

Virtual power purchase agreements for Solar PV solutions

Why choose solar?

In the past 12 months, energy bills have risen by a staggering 96%. With Solar PV, Universities & Colleges can reduce their energy bills by up to 30%.

Meet CSR objectives

Reduce energy spend and reinvest savings into other areas

You can work towards carbon net zero

Show your environmental commitment to new students and parents

Solar PV can help to futureproof your establishment

Harness renewable, sustainable energy sources

On average a medium size college or university can save in excess of £100k annually from their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint annually by 130 tonnes of CO2

What is a Power Purchase Agreement?

The education sector can switch effortlessly to low-cost, green solar energy without any upfront costs with a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

We are co-owned by Lazard Investment, a global investment firm and bank, and have allocated £250m of funding for education renewable projects. This investment in Shawton Energy demonstrates our standing in the market and with over 100 projects completed to date across various sectors we are in a great position to help more colleges and universities transition to greener, cheaper energy.

Our PPA helps establishments transition to generating green energy through technologies such as solar, but with zero upfront investment or ongoing operational costs.

We design, install, operate and maintain the solar project through a long-term contract ranging from 15 to 25 years in length, and you agree to buy the energy produced by the solar assets at a secured, fixed price throughout the contract which is much lower than what you would buy off the grid.

We continue to operate and maintain the project once it has gone live through both remote analysis of the project and physical inspections on an annual basis to ensure that the solar is creating as much energy as possible.

With our experience in the education sector, we understand your procurement processes and also ensuring minimal disruption to your establishment during term time. We have navigated this on numerous occasions, and the way we work and the way our legal documents are set up are to allow the further and higher education sector to access our fully funded solar solution.

Our solution is designed to not only save carbon but also save you money, and therefore we are very proud of the projects we have worked on that have saved some colleges and universities £100,000s every year allowing them to re-invest that saving back into the education of their students or re-invest in other areas across their estates,

We are able to look at projects where the roof is as small as 500m² in size and would only need some basic information initially to understand the options available and present some initial options to consider as a business.

Power purchase agreements for solar PV solutions

Why would colleges & universities want to adopt solar?

Universities and colleges have a unique opportunity to lead by example in the adoption of solar energy, showcasing their commitment to sustainability while reaping substantial benefits. With rising operational costs, solar power offers a reliable way for educational institutions to reduce their energy expenses, freeing up funds that can be reinvested in academic programs, research, and student services.

In addition to cost savings, adopting solar energy enhances the environmental credentials of universities and colleges. Students, faculty, and staff increasingly value institutions that prioritise sustainability, and the installation of solar panels visibly demonstrates a commitment to reducing carbon footprints. This can attract eco-conscious students, faculty, and funding opportunities, while also aligning with government goals for carbon reduction.

Moreover, solar energy integration provides practical educational benefits. Solar installations can be used as real-world teaching tools, offering hands-on learning opportunities for students in fields such as engineering, environmental science, and sustainability studies. This not only enriches the curriculum but also prepares students for careers in the growing renewable energy sector.

By adopting solar, universities and colleges contribute to the broader transition to renewable energy, positioning themselves as forward-thinking leaders in the fight against climate change. This commitment can enhance the institution’s reputation, attract partnerships, and fulfil corporate social responsibility goals.

How does the Power Purchase Agreement Process Work?

If we understand your rooftop real estate and also the energy demands at those sites, you could benefit from free solar PV installation financed by us through a PPA. Once we have confirmed your eligibility, we’ll partner with you to get to know you and your facility’s energy consumption.

This is part of our five-step approach, beginning with an initial meeting, a desktop feasibility study and then a technical site visit. Once we’ve assessed your rooftop for solar suitability, we create a proposal based on your consumption, showing a detailed projection of your cost & carbon savings over the course of the PPA.

Our Initial 5 Step Approach

5 step power purchase agreement purchase for solar energy

Why would you choose a Power Purchase Agreement with Shawton Energy?

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Your establishment’s reputation increases with zero upfront investment or ongoing opex

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Immediate savings which can be spent elsewhere

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The assets sit on Shawton Energy’s balance sheet and not yours

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You don’t have to worry about the ongoing maintenance or operation of the solar assets

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You are less vulnerable to the volatility of grid prices

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You buy the energy produced by the Solar PV at an agreed price for the duration of the contract. If the sun doesn’t shine or the assets are not working then you will not pay for the energy

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You enter into a long term partnership with a trusted energy partner

Case Study – Case Study – Wigan & Leigh College

Shawton Energy is helping to improve the education sector’s future sustainability as energy costs continue to rise across the UK.

Located in the city of Wigan, and in the heart of Greater Manchester, Wigan & Leigh College partnered with Shawton Energy to install Solar PV project as part of a major energy-saving project across three of their sites.

We installed 244 kWp rooftop Solar PV panels at Wigan & Leigh College, Leigh Adult Learning Centre and Pagefield Campus – an Engineering & Construction Centre of Excellence – during the summer term.

These systems will improve the college’s energy efficiency, giving the sites a huge 68 tonne reduction of carbon, the equivalent of keeping 68 cars off the road for nearly a year, while also reducing the college’s electricity bills by thousands of pounds. As the college did not have the funds to invest in the project, they took advantage of Shawton Energy’s Power Purchase Agreement where we fully funded the project, with the college purchasing the energy from the solar panels for a set price over a long period of time.

Shawton Energy has also committed to assisting Wigan & Leigh College for their future Net Zero strategy and will hold sessions with students to showcase potential careers in the industry.

The installed Solar PV system across the three sites provides Wigan & Leigh College over 26% of their energy, meaning they no longer have to purchase that amount from the grid. The college can now enjoy significantly lower electricity bills and generate 215,722kWh – of clean energy every year, whilst showing its commitment to sustainability and Net Zero targets, all at no upfront cost.

“The energy works completed will save us a considerable amount on our electricity bills, while enabling us to reach out Net Zero targets. It’s fantastic that we can not only give our students a sustainable future, but also provide invaluable teachingsfrom Shawton Energy, potentially creating leading renewable energy experts right in the heart of our college”.
Louise Brown, Vice Principal, Wigan & Leigh College

97,429

GBP Reduced On Average Annually In Electricity Bill

68,495

kg Of Carbon Saved Annually

3.16M

Money Saved On Electricity Bills In 25 Years

244

kWp Solar PV System Size

FAQs

Do you do projects throughout the UK?

Yes, we do projects from Scotland to the south coast. The sun’s intensity does vary throughout the UK, however we have many projects in Scotland and the north of the UK that still have great commercial and carbon savings.

Will the installation of solar panels disrupt my students?

No. Our team will ensure your business’s day-to-day operations are not disrupted and ensure your students have no impact on
their facilities.

Do I need planning permission?

Smaller projects no longer need planning permission if it is on the roof. It will just need permitted development applications made and we do all of this on your behalf.

If I have land and/or a car park is there a way of leveraging this space also?

Simple answer is yes, however we would discuss what is possible at our initial call and include areas where we feel it makes sense commercially and technically.

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