Westfield Primary Academy, Haverhill, expects to cut £22,000 from its yearly energy bills thanks to new solar panels and lighting

Westfield Primary Academy in Haverhill is to install more than 100 new solar panels after receiving funding from a government scheme.

The Chalkstone Way school has received grant funding from the Department for Education (DfE) for the installation of 106 PV solar panels and new LED lighting.

The combined benefit of these installations is forecast to reduce energy consumption by around 108,000 kWh per year, resulting in cost saving of around £22,000 per year.

Headteacher, Carly Moody, said: "We are very pleased to be part of this initiative.

"We will be installing new environmentally-friendly lighting throughout the school as well as having new solar panels fitted on the hall roof.

"This is to support our vision of being net zero and using renewable energy which is a positive step forward for Westfield.

"To raise awareness further, we will be taking part in World Earth Day on Tuesday 22 April."

Debbie Willson, director of operations at Unity Schools Partnership, to which Westfield belongs, said: "We are delighted to have been part of the DfE’s Net Zero Accelerator Pathfinder, which is being managed by LocatED, its arms-length body.

"It has been an amazing opportunity to benefit from specialist advice and interactive behaviour change workshops to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings."