Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what information her Department holds on the number of local authority maintained schools that have installed solar panels.

The education sector in the UK will play a critical role in positively responding to climate change and inspiring action on an international stage. The Department’s vision is for the UK education sector to be a world leader in sustainability and climate change by 2030. The Department is helping to create a sustainable future through education, developing the skills needed for a green economy, and supporting all sectors to reach net zero targets. That is why well maintained, safe and energy efficient school buildings are a priority for the Department.

Over £15 billion has been allocated for improving the condition of schools since 2015, including £1.8 billion committed this financial year. The school rebuilding programme will also transform buildings at 500 schools over the next decade, prioritising schools in poor condition and delivering new buildings which are net carbon zero in operation. To date, 400 schools have been announced, including 239 in December 2022. In 2022/23 the department announced an additional £500 million in funding to improve buildings at schools and colleges, prioritising energy efficiency. Up to £635 million over the financial years 2023/24 and 2024/25 has been made available through the public sector decarbonisation scheme for installing low carbon heating and energy efficiency measures in public buildings, with a minimum of 30% going to education settings.

It is the responsibility of those who run schools, whether academy trusts, Local Authorities, or voluntary-aided school bodies, to invest in and manage the maintenance of their school estates. The department does not hold an up-to-date assessment of the capacity schools have in solar panels, heat pumps, smart meters and wind turbines. The Department’s ongoing condition survey, Condition Data Collection 2, will give us a better understanding once it is complete in 2026.