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St Hugh’s School switches on solar to kick-start a greener school year
St Hugh’s School, one of Oxfordshire’s leading independent prep schools, is now generating its own clean electricity following the installation of a rooftop solar PV system delivered by solar partner Electron Green, in collaboration with St Hugh’s energy consultants EIC Partnership.
The project marks the biggest milestone in the school’s sustainability journey to date, enabling St Hugh’s to cut their energy bill significantly, reduce carbon emissions, and provide pupils with an exciting, real-world example of renewable energy in action.
Unlike many schools deterred by the time and technical challenges posed by a solar project, St Hugh’s made the decision to partner with Electron Green to install solar without any initial capital outlay through their lease-to-own model. Electron Green managed the process end-to-end, from system specification, installation and on-going maintenance for the system’s lifetime, so the school was able to complete the installation within 4 weeks during the summer holidays. The system was fully operational and already saving money when pupils returned for the new school year.
“It’s all part of our sustainability drive - a huge step in the right direction and the biggest impact we’ve had so far”, said St Hugh’s Bursar, Alistair Hamilton. “We’ll be doing more of the same in the future. It’s good for the environment, it’s something the whole school community can be proud of, and doing the maths, the system pays for itself in less than five years. We’ve been really impressed by Electron Green and how seamless the install has been. It has sparked conversations in the classroom too, the children are genuinely interested in how it all works.”
The newly installed system will power energy-intensive areas of the school such as lighting, ICT suites, catering, and heating, significantly reducing St Hugh’s reliance on grid electricity. Pupils and teachers can also access Electron Green’s SAM dashboard, allowing them to track live solar generation, carbon savings, and even the “equivalent trees planted.” SAM will be brought into sustainability clubs and science lessons as a teaching tool, providing interactive solar energy data for pupils. This not only sparks curiosity about renewable energy but also embeds sustainability into the curriculum, bringing the solar system to life for the whole school community and linking classroom learning with real-world impact.
The Partnership
The project was made possible through collaboration between Electron Green and EIC Partnership. “This is a great example of what can be achieved when a school’s long- term sustainability goals are supported by the right delivery team,” said Matt Gray, Head of Energy Solutions at EIC Partnership. “By working with Electron Green, we’ve been able to help St Hugh’s implement clean, affordable solar power that will deliver long-term value for their community and the environment.”
The Installation
The rooftop array was designed and delivered with zero disruption to lessons, ensuring the school could continue operating as normal throughout. The newly installed 199 kWp rooftop solar array, completed in August 2025, covers 663 square meters across 2 of the school’s roofs, with just over 330 PV panels. The installation is expected to reduce St Hugh’s reliance on grid electricity by 27%, delivering first-year savings of over £28,800, paying for itself in less than 5 years. The system will also prevent over 620 tonnes of carbon emissions over its lifespan. Looking ahead, St Hugh’s plans to expand its facilities with a new senior school opening in 2026, and so the solar system has been designed with capacity for future expansion, ensuring the benefits of clean energy grow with the school.
“Supporting St Hugh’s with the installation of their new solar system means the school can cut its carbon footprint and energy costs in one decisive step,” said Daniel Green, CEO and Co-Founder of Electron Green. “We’re here to give schools and businesses flexibility in how they generate and manage their electricity. With energy demand expected to rise by 50% over the next decade, having confidence in supply and control over costs has never been more important, especially in UK education”.
There is growing pressure on schools to reduce carbon emissions, yet only around 20% have installed solar panels to date. With the Department for Education projecting that school energy costs will exceed £1.7 billion in 2025, the opportunity for solar in the education sector is significant. Most schools have large, underutilised roof space, and St Hugh’s School’s solar journey shows how sustainability, financial savings and education can go hand in hand and enable investment in their pupils’ futures as a priority over ever-rising energy bills.