OTLEY 2030 and Solar for Schools will host a community event at Otley library on Wednesday, September 14th to share information about solar panels and other solutions for reducing energy use in homes and businesses.

Otley 2030 and Otley Energy first teamed up with Solar for Schools in October 2020 to install solar panels on Otley Library and Community Hub, as well as Prince Henry’s Grammar School and All Saints Primary school. This was the first time (and only time to date) that Solar for Schools have installed solar panels on a non-school building. The array consisting of 92 panels provides 32 kWp of renewable energy.

When Solar for Schools install panels on a school, they commit to visiting annually to check the system and they also deliver a day of education for the children on how the panels function and on renewable energy in general. Solar for Schools will shortly be hosting a similar event in Otley library, where any member of the community can come along and learn about solar panels and other solutions for reducing the use of energy in their home or business property.

Richard Smith from Solar for Schools said: “We’ll have a working solar case, to help understand how solar panels work and why Solar For Schools are helping schools in Otley and the rest of country to reduce the electricity they use. We’ll also be discussing many of the other renewable energies, as we need them all. Of course, you’ll be able to ask any questions on energy, efficiency, renewables, climate change, or Eco-Schools. If we don’t have the complete answer, we’ll probably know someone who does!”

As well as Solar for Schools, Otley 2030 will also have a stall sharing information about how you can get involved in helping to make Otley a more sustainable, nature friendly town by the 2030s.

Otley 2030’s Community Development Lead, Andrew Howarth, said: “This is a great chance for members of the public to come and learn about renewable energy. The timing is particularly important given the soaring cost of energy in this country. We’d love to see as many people from the community and businesses come down and visit.”

The event will be at Otley library, between 1:30pm and 6:30pm on Wednesday 14th September and appointments are not necessary, so you can drop in anytime.

Find out more info here: https://otleyenergy.co.uk/project/solar-for-schools/