Panels for pupils

By Josh Howgego2014-03-06T00:00:00

Source: © Pierre Marchal / Look at Sciences / Science Photo Library

Installing solar panels in a school − or at least building your own mock-ups − isn’t as difficult as you might think, finds Josh Howgego

There was a member of parliament standing on the roof of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s main office in Cambridge last November. Julian Huppert doesn’t frequent such locations, I’m told, but this unusual event was sparked by the RSC installing 200 solar panels, capable of generating 50 kW of power at any given time. The MP for Cambridge was there for the unveiling ceremony.

Solar panels can provide a raft of benefits to an organisation or a household. They can save money on energy bills, decrease carbon footprints and, depending on your taste, make a roof look rather funky.

Josh Howgego explores how schools can rent solar panels, and discusses various ways to engage students in solar technology

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