Cowes Enterprise College is among the first schools in Britain to generate its own clean energy and charge electric vehicles using a state-of-the-art solar canopy, positioning the Isle of Wight as a leader in sustainable education. This initiative is funded directly by Ormiston Academies Trust as a long-term investment in sustainability.
Cowes Enterprise College, part of the Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT), will soon unveil a landmark solar carport installation, setting a new standard for sustainable energy in UK schools. Scheduled for completion in summer 2026, the project will be delivered by renewable energy specialists Solev Energy Group using their innovative SolarCatcher product. The development will transform the school’s car park into a clean power station, generating over 138,000 kWh of renewable electricity annually - enough to power more than 45 average UK homes.
Located on Crossfield Avenue in Cowes, the installation covers 40 parking bays with architecturally designed steel canopies fitted with high-efficiency LONGi solar panels. Beneath the canopy, integrated 7.4 kW and 22 kW electric vehicle charge points provide future-ready EV infrastructure for staff, visitors, and the wider community. These charge points will also be available to the Cowes community, supporting the Isle of Wight’s transition to electric transport. The project reflects the school’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, a value shared by students, staff, and the local area.
At a Glance
System Capacity - 134.82 kWp
Annual Generation - 138,007 kWh
CO₂ Savings Per Year - 17,225 kg
Parking Bays Covered - 40
EV Charging - 7.4 kW & 22 kW points
Structure Design Life - 60+ years
A Strategic Investment - Savings from Day One
Ormiston Academies Trust has funded the installation directly from its capital reserves, viewing the solar carport as a sound long-term investment in both infrastructure and environmental responsibility. With the system generating free, clean electricity from the moment it is activated, the Trust expects to recover its investment within a few years and benefit from significant energy savings for decades, protecting its schools from fluctuating energy prices.
For schools and trusts that prefer not to invest capital upfront, Solev Energy Group offers a fully funded Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) model. Under this arrangement, the entire installation is delivered at zero cost to the client. The school simply purchases the clean energy generated at a competitive fixed rate below grid prices, with savings starting immediately. This flexibility ensures SolarCatcher is accessible to schools regardless of their financial situation.
What They’re Saying
“Ormiston Academies Trust’s decision to invest in this installation is a powerful statement of confidence in renewable energy. They will see returns on this investment for decades. And for trusts that don’t have capital to deploy, our PPA model means they can achieve exactly the same result at zero upfront cost. There really is no reason for any school in Britain not to explore this.” - Osman Yousef, Director, Solev Energy Group Ltd
“Our students will walk past a renewable energy installation every single day. It will not just reduce our bills and our carbon footprint - it will be a living classroom. The solar canopy will be a talking point for our science and geography departments, and will send a powerful message about the kind of future we believe in.” - Vicky Wells, Head, Cowes Enterprise College
A Living Classroom
Beyond financial and environmental benefits, the solar carport serves as a tangible educational resource. The system’s wireless monitoring platform provides real-time data on energy generation and EV charging, giving students direct insight into renewable technology, data science, and environmental stewardship. Each covered parking bay avoids approximately 1.1 tonnes of CO₂ per year, making climate science tangible in a way no textbook can.
A Model for Every School in Britain
With rising energy costs straining school budgets across the UK, the Cowes Enterprise College project demonstrates a proven path to long-term savings, upgraded infrastructure, and real carbon reduction - whether funded from capital reserves, as OAT has done, or through a fully funded PPA at zero upfront cost. SolarCatcher’s modular design allows its canopies to fit any car park layout without sacrificing parking spaces, making it suitable for schools, colleges, and academies of all sizes.
Solev Energy Group is currently in discussions with several other schools and trusts about similar projects across the UK.
.svg)
