Solar boost for St Mary’s Academy as new panels slash bills and cut carbon

PRESS RELEASE FROM ALISTAIR STRATHERN MP

FRIDAY 26th SEPTEMBER 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Alistair Strathern, MP for the Hitchin constituency, has welcomed the installation of new solar panels at St Mary’s Church of England Academy in Stotfold, a project expected to save the school more than £300,000 in energy bills over the next 30 years.

The scheme is co-funded by the Department for Education and will deliver £10,100 in annual savings straight away, allowing the school to reinvest more money directly into pupils’ education, facilities, and family support.

With an installed generation capacity of 100kW, the solar panels will also cut the school’s reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to Britain’s clean energy future.

The St Mary’s installation is part of a wider £180 million match-funded scheme that will enable around 200 schools and 200 hospitals across the country to generate more of their own renewable energy and make big savings.

Across the UK, the scheme is expected to save schools up to £25,000 a year each, with combined lifetime savings for schools and hospitals projected at £400 million.

Alistair Strathern MP said:

“This is brilliant news for St Mary’s and for the whole Stotfold community. By cutting bills and cutting carbon, these new solar panels mean more money for classrooms and less money wasted on energy costs.

“It’s exactly the kind of smart, long-term investment we need to support our schools, our families, and our planet.

“We need to deliver practical improvements that touch people’s everyday lives. Whether that’s cleaner energy, better schools, or stronger local services, I’ll keep making sure our community sees the benefits.”