Finchley school to make savings with solar PV

Posted by Robert Shields

A primary school in Finchley will soon be saving hundreds of pounds annually with the help of newly installed photovoltaic solar panels.

St Mary''s Primary School in Dollis Park was visited on Saturday by the bishop of Edmonton, who blessed the solar PV equipment which could save the school £400 each year, according to the Hendon and Finchley Times.

Speaking to the newspaper, former deputy head Lorna Jaffa, who served 28 years with the school before retiring at Easter, explained that she campaigned for the improvements to help spread an eco-friendly message.

She said: ''It''s just so important to get the children thinking about the environment. Children can get the message to their parents as well and do things like turning off TVs instead of leaving them on standby - and recycling.''

It is hoped that the new photovoltaic solar panels will help the school achieve a Green Flag award and become a more energy efficient school.

Elsewhere in the UK, work started in West Yorkshire last week to transform an old primary school into a state-of-the-art community centre promoting the use of sustainable construction products.

The Headingley Enterprise and Arts Centre, in Leeds, will offer local groups meeting facilities and a cafe, with photovoltaic solar panels and a solar thermal heating system for increased sustainability.