Education — worked example (modelled)
450 kWp Multi-Academy Trust Solar Programme
Illustrative modelled example, not a real project. A UK Multi-Academy Trust deploys 450 kWp across 4 secondary schools. modelled with a Phase-4-era PSDS grant (scheme now closed); £128k/yr group saving. All four are modelled as installed during a single 8-week summer holiday window.
Illustrative worked example — not a real project
This scenario is modelled from this site\'s published cost, yield, tariff and payback bands for the sector. No customer, contract, site or measured result is claimed — this site is an independent publisher and does not install. Use it to sanity-check an installer\'s proposal, not as evidence of anyone\'s delivery.
4 schools
Sites
450 kWp
Combined size
£128,000
Annual saving
PSDS (closed)
Phase-4-era grant assumed
Multi-Academy Trust operating 4 secondary schools in the East Midlands, combined 5,500 students, 380,000 ft² building footprint. Annual electricity: 1.6 GWh. Commercial tariff: 31p/kWh. Trust net zero target: 2030.
The Site
Multi-Academy Trust operating 4 secondary schools in the East Midlands, combined 5,500 students, 380,000 ft² building footprint. Annual electricity: 1.6 GWh. Commercial tariff: 31p/kWh. Trust net zero target: 2030.
The modelled system
- Panels: 750 × Trina Vertex S+ 600W across 4 schools
- Inverters: 12 × SMA Sunny Tripower 50K
- Grant assumed: 70% of capital cost (Phase-4-era PSDS; scheme now closed)
- Indicative programme: 8-week summer holiday window
- Curriculum: Live generation data in Year 9 STEM
- Monitoring: Trust-level + per-school dashboard
Design approach in this scenario
A Phase-4-era PSDS grant is assumed to fund 70% of capital (PSDS has had no open window since November 2024, so a new project would need capital budget, a PPA or a lease). The application is modelled as managed end-to-end — SAP modelling, business case and Trust-level project plan. Installation timed to summer holiday — 8 weeks with no impact on teaching.
Modelled outcome
All four schools are modelled as installed across one summer break (July–August). Modelled year-1 saving £128k. Trust integrated solar performance into the Year 9 STEM curriculum — students view live generation data alongside maths and physics modules.
Key numbers (modelled)
- System size: 450 kWp combined
- Annual generation: 405,000 kWh
- Annual saving: £128,000
- Payback: immediate in the grant-funded scenario (without a grant, 4–6 years)
- CO2 displaced: 92 tonnes/yr
For the sector guide behind this scenario, see Solar for schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
How were these numbers calculated?
Every number is modelled from this site's published cost per kWp, sector yield and self-consumption bands, and the tariff stated in the scenario. Nothing here is measured from a real installation — this site is an independent publisher and holds no project data.
Can a similar system be built for my business?
The scenario is sized on typical UK values for the sector. An installer can model your own site from half-hourly meter data and roof drawings — request matched quotes and ask for the model, not just the price.
Why publish worked examples rather than customer case studies?
Because this site does not install anything, it has no customers to write up. Worked examples show the arithmetic transparently, which is what you need to judge an installer's proposal against.
How does payback vary between sectors?
Across the sector scenarios on this site payback typically falls in the 3.5–5.5 year range on capital purchase — continuous daytime loads at the low end, weekday-only sites at the high end. See the cost and payback guides for the bands behind each figure.
Can I visit a live installation?
Ask the installers quoting your project for reference sites of a similar size and sector, and speak to the operator directly — a credible installer will arrange it.
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