Solar Electricity for Greenfield School

The Solar Photovoltaic array has finally been installed on the roof of Greenfield CofE (VC)Lower School and is now producing electricity - despite the wet weather!
The project is an initiative of the "Flitton and Greenfield Carbon Challenge" a local group involving people in Flitton and Greenfield supported by the local Parish Council.

The aim of the Flitton and Greenfield Challenge is to encourage people to lower their carbon emissions in their own homes and to also raise funding for community projects. At a group meeting last year it was decided in the first instance to seek funding for a school project as this was seen as a good focal point for raising awareness. Also the school had recently become an Eco School and needed to take further action on energy to maintain this status. Solar photovoltaics were seen as a suitable technology as they require minimum maintenance and also are easily transferrable to another building (a consideration for the school as the buildings are in need of replacement).

Funding was successfully sought through the EEDA Cut Your Carbon programme and this was matched by applying to the Government's Low Carbon Buildings Programme.
In all just over £50,000 was secured for a 9 kW array capable of producing a significant proportion of the school's electricity demands. The Parish Council assisted with the grant application to EEDA and the Diocese of St Albans (Greenfield School is a Church of England School)were also very helpful in securing the necessary funding.

The Solar Array is being officially "switched on" on the 6th July. All are welcome and there will an opportunity to learn more about the technology and the current incentives for home installations. Watch this space for more details. In the meantime you can contact Gareth Ellis on 0780 9873124 or inggareth@googlemail.com for more information.

Forthcoming Events

"Transition Bedford" on Mon 22nd June 6pm at The Bunyan Museum/church, Mill St
more details below...

"Flitton and Greenfield Challenge": Grand launch of Greenfield School Solar Array at Greenfield School on Mon 6th July
More details soon.... contact: Gareth Ellis 0780 9873124 inggareth@googlemail.com




TRANSITION BEDFORD?

MON 22nd JUNE 2009



Open meeting - free to attend – some refreshments will be provide but you can also bring drinks and snacks to share and any photos and flyers of projects ongoing in your community, company or organisation

Can Bedford transition to a sustainable and vibrant community?

Venue

The Bunyan museum/church – Mill St, Bedford Town Centre, MK40 3EU

Date and times

Mon 22nd June 09; Meeting 7pm-9pm (Networking starts at 6pm)

Content

6pm Pre event drinks, networking and viewing of photos of varying local projects

7pm A short film introduction to the Transition Network

7.20 Introduction to Zero Carbon Castle by Peter Bull co-founder, Sustainable Oakley by Gerry Sansom Oakley Parish Council, as well as varying other groups from around Bedford, presented by members of those groups

8pm Community mapping - ideas, opportunities, resources, needs and visions of a sustainable, vibrant and resilient Bedford

8.45pm Where now? Final session

Who is the event for?

Open to all, from Bedford & surrounding areas, who want to respond to climate change; residents, politicians, activists, business people and members of NGO’s and charities alike. “Keynote contributors” have been invited from Zero Carbon Castle, Queens Park and Kempston in Bloom, Golden Gardens, Sustainable Oakley, Bedford Borough Council and all parishes, Central Bedfordshire Council, BTCV, BCCF, Groundwork, Oxfam, Sustrams, Forest of Marston Vale, Wildlife Trust, Beds Rural Communities Charity, Green Business Network, BigBarn.co.uk, Buy-Local.net and many others