A new allocation of solar panels is set to improve energy efficiency and reduce running costs at Burnley College, the Lancashire Telegraph reports.
The array of 600 photovoltaic panels will now power the multi-million pound campus, which will also feature areas for students and staff to plug in and charge electric cars.
A number of educational establishments have invested in solar panels in recent months, with favourable government schemes like the Green Deal and the feed-in tariff contributing to the increased uptake.
Not only does the technology allow the school, college or university in question to cut their carbon footprint and reduce running costs, but students can also benefit from the panels – especially youngsters studying science and environmental subjects.
Chairman of Burnley College governors Shelagh Derwent said that the institution has "a genuine passion" for sustainable power and services in order to help the environment.
“An installation of this scale demonstrates excellent corporate social responsibility and is a good investment financially,” she added.
With the savings made on energy bills, and the potential to earn money via the feed-in tariff, the college can invest the money back into services for ambitious youngsters looking to progress through higher education.
Hugh Bramwell, college principal, said that he has been encouraged by both staff and students showing their support for the energy-saving initiative.
“This project adds to our state-of-the-art facilities including our green wall, which powers our gatehouse," he told the local news provider.
“We will continue to invest wisely in the future generations of students who will be welcomed through our doors.”
For other establishments looking to install energy-efficient technology, encouragement can be gained by the fact that both the Green Deal and the feed-in tariff can be accessed simultaneously if required.
More information on how to achieve this can be discovered by looking over the Department of Energy and Climate Change's document, entitled 'Green Deal: How the Green Deal and Feed-In Tariffs work together'.