A secondary school in East Sussex has had 143 solar panels installed on its rooftops, which is expected to generate more than 35,000 kWh of electricity per year.

Ovesco, a community-owned renewable energy provider installed the PV panels with the help of Southern Solar at Lewis Priory school. The company claims the school will save around £3,000 on energy bills.

Tony Smith, Head of the school said: The school was under pressure to reduce costs and I struggled to see how we could improve efficiency with little funds. In return for our roof space, the solar installation will reduce our energy costs while supporting a very worthwhile community initiative.”

Students at the school kicked off the project by writing to the solar panel provider. The school is expected to use most of the energy during term time but during school holidays it will be sold back to the National Grid.