On Wednesday this week our Year 12 Physics students were able to see ‘Physics in Action’. 

Ben Nuttall, Director from NPS solar who installed our 946 solar panels back in December 2023, returned to provide our pupils with an insight into the intricacies of solar generation. The presentation included how they were able to design an optimum solution were generation would meet school demand. Pupils learnt about irradiation and how this varies across the world, took a dive into the normal irradiation for Greater Manchester and learnt why orientation and angle of the panels is so important. Efficiency of panels was also covered, which links directly to the A-level curriculum. Ben then shared the live generation data, and was able to show the design predictions vs. actuals for the first year of operation, and impressively they were almost spot on! 42% of the schools electricity is now coming from the solar panels.

Pupils were reminded of the reasons why solar was chosen for the school, it wasn’t just a financial decision, it was to reduce the school’s carbon emissions. In 2024 the generation (287.54MWh) equated to saving 55,768.9Kg of carbon, equivalent to planting 3,374 trees!

Finally career pathways were discussed, the renewable energy industry is huge, growing rapidly and right here. Greater Manchester Combined Authority have made some strong pledges to increase renewables. Also at a national level we heard just last week that the government has made it’s first major investment from Great British Energy to install solar at hundreds of schools and hospitals worth £180 million. 

 

Mr Morfee & Miss Tunstall