Labour is backing a greener, fairer future for Sheffield, with solar panels set to be installed on a further 21 schools and nine community buildings across the city.
The ambitious programme will help cut energy bills, reduce carbon emissions and keep more money available for frontline services and community priorities.
The plans, initiated by Sheffield Labour in 2025, will see around 21 Sheffield schools benefit from rooftop solar panels funded through the Sheffield Climate Investment Bond, helping schools generate their own clean electricity while reducing energy costs. The scheme is expected to cut carbon emissions by around 115 tonnes of CO₂e every year, while participating schools could save an average of £50,000 over the lifetime of the programme. The new scheme builds on an earlier round of government-funded solar panel installations at three Sheffield primary schools, extending the benefits of lower energy bills, cleaner power and more funding for teaching to schools across the city.
Alongside this, Sheffield City Council is investing a further £350,000 through the Local Renewable Energy Fund to install solar panels on nine community buildings, including libraries and community centres across the city. The investment is expected to pay for itself through lower energy costs while helping to protect valued local facilities for future generations.
Councillor Dawn Dale, Chair of Education, Children and Families policy Committee said:
“Every pound a school spends on energy bills is a pound that cannot be spent on children’s education. These solar panels will help schools cut their energy costs and keep more money in the classroom, where it can be invested in teaching, learning resources and support for pupils.
At the same time, schools will be generating clean, renewable energy and helping Sheffield meet its climate ambitions. It’s a win for pupils, a win for schools and a win for the environment”
Councillor Minesh Parekh, Labour Group Spokesperson on the Transport, Regeneration and Climate policy committee said:
“The climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges we face. Local government has a crucial role to play in driving the transition to clean energy in a fair and just way.
We’re installing solar panels on schools, libraries and community centres across Sheffield to turn underused rooftops into clean energy generators. cut carbon emissions for decades to come, and cut energy bills.
For our schools this means more money can be spent on learning and teaching. For our city this means a greener, more resilient Sheffield for future generations.”
The investment forms part of Labour’s wider ambition to make Sheffield a cleaner, more sustainable city while supporting local communities with lower energy costs, lower carbon emissions and greater energy resilience.
The Transport, Regeneration and Climate policy committee will be looking to open a second round of the Sheffield Climate Investment Bond later this year, which will see another call out for investors.