Mitie is using solar to help Essex schools cut their carbon 

• Mitie has supported Essex County Council with the installation of roof mounted solar panels at 15 schools across the county
• 太阳能电池板将产生700个,000千瓦时的能源, equivalent to powering 185 homes 一年，节省180公吨二氧化碳₂ 每年大约11.5万英镑
• A further 28 school sites and council buildings will also have solar panels installed over the next 3 months, 额外节省220公吨二氧化碳排放₂ 一年

Mitie Communities has worked with Essex County Council to manage the installation of roof mounted solar panels at 15 schools across the county. The new panels will help to significantly reduce carbon emissions and 能源 costs for the Council. 这些电池板将生产约700块,每年可再生能源发电1000千瓦时, equivalent to the 能源 needed to power 185 homes¹，节省180公吨二氧化碳₂ and around £115,000, with an estimated payback of around 10 years.

Mitie, who provides full 设施 Management and maintenance services to Essex County Council, 管理整个安装过程. This included a full review of the Council’s estate of more than 250 locations to identify the priority sites, creating business cases and feasibility studies, 确保政府资金, as well as overseeing the selection of specialist suppliers and installation. Mitie has also installed remote monitoring equipment in the panels to track the performance of the panels, the carbon savings achieved and any maintenance requirements.

With the project focused on helping to tackle the climate crisis and reduce emissions for generations to come, it was fitting that Mitie Communities and Essex County Council prioritised schools for the first phase of solar panel installation. The project will now move on to phase two of the solar installation programme, installing roof-mounted panels at another 12 schools and 16 core council buildings, 比如图书馆和儿童中心, 以帮助进一步降低排放量. Following their installation over the next three months, this will cut the Council’s carbon emissions by an extra 220 tonnes 一年.

This project builds on Mitie and Essex County Council’s ongoing partnership to fight climate change by reducing 能源 use and helping the county reach net zero carbon emissions target by 2050. Some of the installations were delivered as part of a project called 让2.0, which aims to empower 公民 in Essex to take an active role in the 能源 market as the UK transitions to a low carbon society.

Pradyumna Pandit, Managing Director, Sustainability and Energy Services, Mitie, said:

“Decarbonising the UK’s buildings is key to securing a net zero future for the next generation, so it’s very fitting that we’re helping Essex County Council cut its emissions by rolling out solar panels across the region’s schools. 在这个项目中, we’re demonstrating that doing the right thing by our planet doesn’t need to cost the earth, by helping the Council lower its 能源 bills along with its carbon emissions.”

Councillor Schwier, Lead Member on Climate Action, Essex County Council said:

“I am delighted that the first phase of this project has now been successfully completed. We are committed to tackling climate change in Essex and this is a fantastic step in the right direction. With the Essex Climate Action Commission about to launch its recommendations for a net zero Essex later in the summer, we expect many similar initiatives will be proposed. These solar systems will showcase the reality of net-zero electricity to thousands of pupils and staff, so they can experience renewable 能源 first-hand.”