Schools in Offaly can apply for free solar panels

LOCAL Fianna Fáil TD, Barry Cowen, has welcomed the commencement of the first phase of the Solar for Schools Programme.

The first phase of the Programme will help primary and post-primary schools in Offaly reduce their energy costs and their carbon footprint. The solar panels will also be connected to the electricity grid, so that the schools can generate income by powering other homes and businesses in the community with clean energy when schools are closed at weekends and during school holidays.

Deputy Cowen said: “It’s excellent news that schools in Offaly can apply for free solar panels under the Solar for Schools Programme. All schools will be contacted by the Department and invited to apply and I would encourage them all to do so – this is an excellent scheme that will provide tangible financial and climate benefits while also delivering the added benefit of encouraging discussion and uptake of solar panels in the wider community.

“Fianna Fáil in Government strongly believes in helping schools to reduce their energy costs. This scheme will help schools to manage those costs in the near future while also helping them in terms of their energy independence and climate concerns in the long term.”