A Turning Point for Schools
Schools have long stood at the forefront of change—in education, in community values, and increasingly, in sustainability. Today, the Department for Education (DfE) has taken a bold step to empower that leadership further.
Effective immediately, academy trusts can enter into finance or lease agreements for capital assets—such as solar panels—without requiring prior DfE approval.
This decision removes a critical administrative barrier that has, until now, limited large-scale solar adoption across the education sector. With this change, trusts can act decisively to decarbonise their estates, reduce energy spend, and lead the charge on climate action—all without unnecessary delays.
Why This Change Matters
This is more than a regulatory adjustment. It is a strategic opportunity for academy trusts to take control of rising energy costs and contribute meaningfully to national net zero goals.
Trust leaders can now:
- Implement solar installations using lease or finance models,
- Develop trust-wide renewable strategies with scale and consistency,
- Act without DfE approval bottlenecks, accelerating timelines and outcomes.
Previously, the requirement for case-by-case approvals slowed progress—even when projects were financially and environmentally sound. That barrier is now gone.
The Financial and Educational Advantage
Energy costs continue to rank among the top three pressures on school budgets. Solar energy presents a proven way to reduce long-term costs while insulating trusts against price volatility.
But the benefits go beyond finance:
- Schools become visible leaders in sustainability—engaging pupils, parents, and local communities.
- Solar systems offer real-time learning opportunities across science, geography, and citizenship curricula.
- A trust-wide solar strategy enables procurement consistency, operational efficiency, and long-term planning.
This is an investment not just in infrastructure—but in school identity, values, and future-readiness.
What School Leaders Should Do Next
This policy change gives schools permission—and encouragement—to take the next step. Here’s how to begin:
- Review Your Estate
Identify buildings with solar potential based on roof structure, usage patterns, and future plans.
- Engage Internal Stakeholders
Bring together estates, finance, and curriculum leads to explore integrated benefits.
- Explore Finance Models
Consider lease, PPA (power purchase agreement), or asset finance solutions aligned with your trust’s financial framework.
- Develop a Rollout Plan
Start small with priority sites or go trust-wide—either way, build a timeline that aligns with site access and capital strategy.
- Link to Strategic Goals
Ensure that solar plans support broader trust ambitions, such as climate targets, Ofsted readiness, and board-level risk reduction.
A Clear Path to Progress
For schools ready to move, we recommend a simple phased approach:
| Phase | Action |
| 1 | Map solar-ready sites and assess potential savings |
| 2 | Select financing and procurement routes suitable for your trust |
| 3 | Deliver installations with planned impact reporting and community engagement |
This framework enables fast but thoughtful decision-making—tailored to your context.
Final Reflections
This is not just about solar panels. It’s about giving schools the freedom to lead, to act strategically, and to invest in a future that is sustainable, resilient, and educationally aligned.
By lifting old restrictions, the DfE has placed its trust in school leaders—and handed them the tools to act with vision and purpose.
We encourage every academy trust to seize this moment. Whether you’re at the start of your sustainability journey or ready to scale, now is the time to lead with confidence.
Image by tawatchai07 on Freepik