Company donates solar power demonstrator

Jul 7 2008 By Patrice John

BIRMINGHAM school pupils are facing a brighter future after scooping more than £2,000-worth of kit to help them learn about solar power.

Students at Yardleys Secondary School, in Reddings Lane, Tyseley, were the first in the Midlands to receive a solar demonstrator kit from the company eaga.

Pupils are set to learn about the technology used in solar thermal panels which can reduce heating and hot water bills by providing up to 60 per cent of hot water at home.

Laura Dodd, from Yardleys School, said: “Harnessing the power of green energy sources such as the sun or wind is clearly of huge interest to the younger generation.

“The solar panel demonstrator kit enhances the learning experience and makes it relevant and interactive. It can also help open their eyes to the opportunities of an increasingly low carbon economy.”

Eaga provide help to people who wish to make their homes energy efficient. They also work with companies who are trying to do the same for their customers.

They developed the solar demonstrator kits to teach students about low-carbon energy and have given them to more than 200 schools in the North East of England.

Eaga’s Steve Caseley said: “The interest in clean energy shown by students at Yardleys has been incredible. Birmingham is already one of the most advanced cities in the UK in terms of embracing clean energy so I have no doubts the scheme will be hugely successful here.”

MP Roger Godsiff was on hand at the launch and said: “I am delighted to support this initiative which will help to demonstrate the environmental and economic benefits of sustainable energy. By encouraging our school children to engage with these technologies we can help make Birmingham a world-leader in developing clean energy.”