Best practice for specifying solar panels for schools

With budgets being slashed and energy costs continuing to rise, schools are always looking for ways to reduce expenses without compromising the quality of education or the facilities they provide. Combine that with increasing concerns about climate change and the drive towards net zero, and it’s easy to see that solar PVs for schools could be an effective way to cut costs and reduce their carbon footprint.

Getting solar specification and installation right is essential for ensuring a school’s solar panels provide long-term value, performance and safety. In this blog, we’ll discuss some of the main specification and installation considerations, helping to achieve successful and reliable solar systems in education environments.

Why install solar panels for schools?

Schools are ideal candidates for solar power. Their large roofs offer plenty of space for photovoltaic (PV) panels, and since schools are almost exclusively used during the day – when solar energy is generated – they can make the most of on-site electricity, and solar installations can significantly reduce their energy costs.

Having renewable energy systems in schools, such as the Marley SolarTile® also provides an opportunity to teach children about environmental issues and living in a more sustainable way, helping to set them on a path of eco-consciousness from an early age.

For example, Marley SolarTile®, was used in an upgrade project at Doncaster Intake Primary School. Nicholson, director of roof systems at Marley, highlights some of the benefits that the solar PV panels brought to the school: “The school benefited from long-term energy savings, and the visible solar panels made a real statement. Their modern, streamlined appearance complemented the building, while also making it clear to pupils, staff and visitors that the school is working to reduce its carbon footprint.”

Stuart adds: “And since the complete Marley roof system was installed, including Acme Single Camber clay plain tiles and dry-fix roofing products, the project was also covered by a full 15-year warranty, providing peace of mind about the roof’s long-term performance.”

What type of solar panel is best for schools?

Roof-mounted solar panels come in two main types: on-roof solar panels and roof-integrated solar panels.

On-roof solar panels are mounted on the roof using brackets, leaving a gap between the roof tiles and the solar panels. These are often used for retrofit projects, as they can be more convenient to install than roof-integrated solar panels, but they also add more weight to the roof, and the gap can accumulate debris or attract birds and other pests – leading to potential maintenance issues over time.

Alternatively, roof-integrated solar panels, such as the Marley SolarTile®, are installed as part of the roof covering. Stuart explains: “Roof-integrated solar panels are installed within the roof plane as part of the roof covering. This means they sit flush with the roof surface for a more streamlined appearance and reducing the chance for debris build-up or animals making the roof their home.”

Because they replace traditional roof covering materials, such as roof tiles, roof-integrated solar panels can reduce both material costs and the overall roof weight. They also offer a more streamlined appearance compared to roof-mounted systems. For retrofit installations, sections of the existing roof will need to be removed, so roof-integrated solar systems are particularly cost-effective when carried out as part of planned re-roofing work or a new-build project.

How many solar panels to specify for a school?

Determining the right size for a school’s solar array can be a complex calculation, and it should consider factors such as the size of the school and its annual energy use, the location and daylight hours throughout the year, the capacity of each solar panel, the budget and expected return on investment.

Stuart explains: “For a very rough estimate, specifiers can divide the school’s annual energy consumption in kWh by the expected output of a single solar panel per year. However, for a more accurate calculation, we recommend getting in touch and discussing the project requirements with a member of our team.”

Do roof orientation and pitch matter when specifying solar for education?

At Marley, we are often asked about the importance of roof orientation and pitch in relation to the amount of solar energy for schools that an array can produce. While a south-facing roof with a 30–40° pitch is still ideal, solar panels will also be effective in other orientations and pitches.

Stuart says: “Solar panels facing south will see a faster return on investment, but solar panels will still generate a significant amount of electricity for a school if they’re facing east, west or even north.” He adds: “The Marley SolarTile® can be installed on roof pitches of 20–60°.”

When considering roof orientation, also be aware of anything local that could shade the solar panels and reduce their output, such as tall trees, other buildings and even hills.

Structural loading considerations for school solar installations

Before carrying out a retrofit project to install solar panels on a school roof, the underlying roof structure must be assessed to ensure it can support the added weight of the solar array.

As previously discussed, on-roof solar panels add weight on top of the existing roof, while roof-integrated systems replace roof tiles, helping to reduce the structural load. Whichever type of solar panel is being used, a loading assessment should be carried out, and any necessary reinforcements should be made before installation.

For new builds, structural loading can be factored in from the early design stages of the project.

Planning requirements and aesthetics for school solar installations

In most cases, the installation of solar panels on school roofs will fall under permitted development rights and won’t require full planning permission. However, if a school is a listed building or located in a conservation area, planning consent may be required.

The appearance of the solar installation is also an important consideration. Because roof-integrated solar systems have a lower profile, they may be preferable in places where aesthetics are more important, or local character needs to be preserved.

Solar panels and fire safety for schools

Fire safety is a critical consideration for any building project, including schools. While some people may have concerns about the overall safety of solar panels, research indicates that solar systems pose lower fire risks than other common household appliances, such as dishwashers and toasters.

When it comes to the fire safety of solar panels, the main area of concern is the electrical connectors. If incorrectly installed, these can create electrical arcs that can lead to fires. This is why it’s important to use professional installers and ensure that all connections are completed by a qualified electrician. The Marley ArcBox can also help to prevent fires caused by electrical arcing. Designed to snap around DC connectors, the ArcBox ensures that if an arc occurs, it is contained, preventing it from spreading to combustible materials in or around the solar installation.

The fire performance of the solar panels should also be considered. Marley SolarTile® is the only roof-integrated solar system to have achieved the highest resistance to spread of flame and fire penetration in all European fire safety tests – BRoof T1, T2, T3 and T4.

Wind considerations when specifying solar panels for schools

Wind uplift is a key factor when specifying solar panels on school roofs, especially in exposed or coastal locations. Panels must be securely fixed to prevent damage in high winds and maintain weather tightness.

Roof-integrated systems offer excellent wind resistance thanks to their flush installation. Stuart explains: “With a certified wind resistance more than four times higher than that of many competitor systems, Marley SolarTile® is suitable even for the most challenging environments — and it doesn’t require additional batten support or adhesive flashing rolls, which helps to simplify installation.”

Are solar batteries needed for school solar systems?

The main purpose of solar batteries is to save excess energy that’s generated during daylight hours so that it can be used at other times – typically in the evenings or as backup power in the event of an outage.

Whether a school would benefit from solar batteries depends on expected use. If the school is used in the evenings – by students or the wider community – then solar batteries could help to keep costs down. However, if the school is mostly empty in the evenings, there may not be a need for a solar battery.

When to install solar panels for schools?

If a school’s roof is being refurbished, it’s an ideal time to add some solar panels. The builders and scaffolding will already be there, so overall costs and disruption will be reduced, and the solar installation can be easily coordinated with the rest of the project. If necessary, the roof integrity can be upgraded during the project, and if roof-integrated solar panels are used, they can reduce the need for other roofing materials.

Alternatively, if a new school building is being built, it’s the perfect opportunity for adding solar panels to the school. Planning a solar installation from the earliest stages of a project gives the best outcomes and means everything from the roof orientation and pitch through to performance and aesthetics can be planned.

Is funding available for solar panels for the education sector?

As we've already mentioned, solar panels can offer significant long-term savings for schools. But the upfront cost can be a challenge. The good news is that various funding routes are available to help schools cover the costs of buying and installing solar panels.

To support the UK government’s target of net-zero by 2050, Great British Energy, a publicly owned clean-energy company has been established. Among its first major projects is funding to support the installation of solar panels in schools, including around £80m for 200 schools in England.

Salix Finance is a non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. It helps public sector organisations like schools and universities reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions by administering government funding. It offers interest-free loans and capital grants to help pay for solar PV installations.

National governments and local councils may also offer funding schemes to help schools with the costs of solar panel installations. Other initiatives are also available, such as the Schools' Energy Co-operative, which installs community-funded solar PV installations.

Building more sustainable schools with Marley SolarTile®

Installing solar panels in school buildings can help to reduce energy costs and lower carbon footprints. With Marley's complete roof system – including Marley SolarTile® – specifiers can plan high-performance, reliable and durable solar systems.

To find out more about including Marley’s solar system on your next school project, please contact our team.