Sandbrook Primary School Project - Government Grant

Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks

A Rochdale project is among the latest successful grant applicants under the DTI's solar energy scheme -  The Major PV Demonstration Programme - announced by Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks.

The successful applicant is Sandbrook Primary School, Rochdale Borough Council; the new Sandbrook Primary School will be an amalgamation of two dilapidated smaller schools in the area and it is a template redevelopment that is intended to be repeated on four other sites by the Council.  The site will be used both as a school and community centre.  Being designed with sustainability and clean energy as a focal point, the school will include natural ventilation and light features as well as both passive and photovoltaic solar panels.  The individual eco-features will be managed by a building management system that maximises efficiency and displays energy performance figures in the school foyer.

Minister, Malcolm Wicks said: "The installation of microgeneration products such as solar panels is an excellent way for individuals, communities and businesses to make their own contribution to tackling climate change.  This project in Rochdale is a prime example of this.

"As these become more widespread they can help to teach this and future generations about the benefits of renewable energy and the need to use our resources more responsibly."

The grant programme is part of the Government's strategy to promote microgeneration, which aims to remove those barriers currently hindering the development of a sustainable market for these products.