Solar panels return to Robertsbridge college

The panels at Robertsbridge Community College were taken off in December, 2013, as part of a nationwide scheme to assess their sturdiness during high winds. A new manufacturer was chosen after extensive research and they were put back last week. Acting head teacher Doug Downs was pleased with the new solar panels and said the money saved will go back into the college. “We are delighted to be able to reduce the school’s carbon footprint and ensure that as far as possible, every pound recovered goes directly to improving pupil progress,” he said. A school in the north of England raised the initial concerns as a lightweight German system was installed with insufficient ballast and there was a risk of the panels being blown away. But solar energy is now feeding the college with power after finding an alternative Dutch design which is suitable for flat roofs, like the building at the college, and has a heavier framework. It took four days for the new panels to be installed to the main building after originally being introduced in 2012. The feed-in tariff for these new panels will be at the original level and not under the lower, revised tariff introduced recently. In another bid to reduce energy bills, the college’s windows are currently being replaced throughout the main building, with work beginning in September. All of the new windows should be installed by the end of half term which would leave only the main hall needing double-glazed windows. The school said it would seem the timing is most opportune as the weather forecasters are indicating a particularly cold winter. Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1) Make our website your homepage at www.ryeandbattleobserver.co.uk/ 2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RyeandBattleObserver 3) Follow us on Twitter Text to display 4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! The Rye and Battle Observer - always the first with your local news. Be part of it.