A SCHOOL in Worcester is set to become one of the greenest in the city when £20,000 solar panels are installed.

St George’s Catholic Primary School in Barbourne is among 80 UK schools selected to receive a grant in the second phase of the Cooperative’s Green Energy for Schools scheme.

The photovoltaic panels are half-funded through the Cooperative’s scheme with match-funding from the Government’s Low Carbon Building Programme (LCBP).

Headteacher Mike Painter said: “It is fantastic to be given the opportunity to generate our own renewable electricity for the school through this generous Cooperative initiative.

“Our staff and pupils work hard to make St George’s Primary a green school and these solar panels will boost our efforts while helping the children to learn about climate change and renewable energy.”

Adrian Crowley, a training manager with the Cooperative Financial Services, who nominated St George’s, said: “Installing solar panels at our local school is a great way to get the climate change message across to the community in Worcester.

“As well as reducing the school’s carbon footprint and saving money on electricity bills, the solar panels will build on the good work the school has done to encourage the children’s interest in environmental issues.”

Leading solar energy company Solarcentury will install the panels, which will generate renewable electricity, reducing the school’s reliance on fossil fuels while highlighting the issue of climate change.

A monitor screen in the school building will display how much energy the panels are generating and how much carbon dioxide they have saved to date.

The schools will also be able to access their energy data online along with educational materials which teachers can download for use in the classroom.

The Co-operative has spent £1 million installing solar panels at more than 100 schools across the UK since 2007.