SKY high energy bills are a thing of the past at Sir William Romney’s school thanks to the installation of solar panels.

The Tetbury school received one of the largest solar panel systems at any school nationwide from British Gas free of charge.

British Gas Solar has been installing free solar panels on many schools across the country worth as much as £160,000 per installation.

Some 12O solar photovoltaic panels were installed on Sir William Romney’s main hall over the summer holidays.

The 50kW system started to produce electricity in October and will provide the school with free electricity during the day and help to reduce the school’s carbon emissions.

A display in the school helps to show students exactly how much power is being generated daily in kW and the amount of CO2 saved since installation.

Dale Curtis, assistant headteacher, said: “We have been trying for two years to get solar energy and looked at two or three different options. We were successful in our application to British Gas Solar and now have one of the biggest systems at any school in the UK.

“We have a Young Energy group at the school and they have played an important role. Students have been really enthused by it. It’s great to have a green project on site and a real live example of alternative energy for students to see.”

The panels can help schools meet their carbon reduction targets, reducing emissions by up to 1,400 tonnes per year (equivalent to taking almost 400 cars off the road).