Switched on Schools is funded by Northern Ireland Electricity, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) and the Education and Library Boards and has so far installed solar panels at 43 rural schools across Northern Ireland.

These working examples of renewable energy are complemented by an on-line educational resource, designed to educate the next generation on sustainable energy issues.

Ballymena woman Gwyneth Scott, of NIE Energy, manages the Switched on Schools project and says she’s delighted that this new approach to renewables in schools has been recognised.

“This project not only encourages schools and the education and library boards to add renewable energy to their energy mix, it also educates pupils now and in the future about the impact they have on the natural environment and how they can make a difference,” said Gwyneth.

“Through the interactive website pupils can see how much clean energy their school is generating compared to other schools. This project is the first of its kind in the UK and we hope other education boards will adopt similar schemes to reduce reliance on fossil fuel generated electricity.”

The Environment and Energy Awards judges commented: "The installation of photovoltaic panels in schools is not a new concept. What is new is that an energy company took the initiative, and had the vision to use a large number of installations to create a virtual user network, “a virtual power station" is the concept this scheme uses.

"The project also developed local capacity building to strengthen the fledgling renewable energy installation industry, which should bring longer term benefits to the local economy. It is the context of this project that makes it particularly exciting, pulling together diverse and spread out rural communities to engage in a common cause of improving the environment."

Locally, the North Eastern Education and Library Board has installed solar panels at 10 schools throughout the Board area including two in and around Ballymena – Kells and Connor Primary School and Gracehill Primary School.

For more information visit

www.switchedonschools.co.uk