The Solar for Schools Community Benefit Society (CBS), an organisation that funds solar installations on schools, has received a £3m loan from Triodos Bank UK to help it grow its network of solar-powered schools across the country.

While The Solar for Schools CBS currently owns and operates over 150 rooftop installations, it has over 100 schools on its waiting list. The new senior debt from Triodos Bank will be combined with crowdfunding bond finance to help the non-profit accelerate its work with around 30 more schools, including those in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the UK. To deliver the projects, the CBS works with SolarOptions for Schools, which develops and then manages the projects for the CBS, working closely with the CBS to secure funding.

As the CBS is governed by the school members themselves, any surplus from solar energy generated across the community is shared with the schools. Schools pay only for the solar electricity they use at a pre-agreed unit price, lower than their mains electricity price, therefore providing additional security against volatile energy prices. These prices are fixed for the lifetime of the solar panels, at 25 years, rising only with inflation.

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