Locality: Finsbury Park, Hackney
Asset owner: Parkwood Primary School
Energy saved: 10.7 tonnes CO2e per annum
Money saved: ~ £10k per annum
Tech used:
In 2023, we began work with Parkwood Primary School in Hackney to install solar PV and a building management system to reduce their energy usage and generate their own electricity, reducing reliance on the grid.
This project is a collaboration between CREW Energy and Sustainable Hackney – who provide vital local knowledge of the borough and outreach to the local community. The project was two-thirds funded by the Hackney Community Fund (managed by Hackney Light and Power).
The BMS gives the schools granular control of their heating system, saving 25,000 kWh of gas consumption and improving local air quality through lower gas flue emissions. It allows the school to only heat rooms when they are being used, rather than heating classrooms until 7pm when they are empty at 3pm. Equally communal spaces that are used for 3 hours per day no longer need to be heated for 12.
Weather compensation will allow the school to only start heating in the morning when necessary and turn down the heating in the afternoon. We noted that windows were being opened to cool down offices and classrooms. Thanks to localised thermostats, once classrooms reach the required temperature, their radiators will automatically shut down. This will, in turn, allow the colder rooms to get to their required temperature faster.
The array of solar panels on the school’s roof will provide the bulk of the school’s electricity supply for most of the year, greatly reducing the school’s need for electricity from the grid. There is the potential for the school to use them to generate income on high generation days, weekends and holidays.
Katherine Low Settlement is a much-loved, busy charity that has been at the heart of the community since 1924. They work to reduce poverty and isolation and bring the community together. Their core programmes support older people, children, young people and their families from refugee backgrounds and newly-arrived adults learning English: over 500 people a week visit our building. They campaign for social change and partner with other charities and communities to help them to thrive in the wider community.
Parts of their building date back to the 18th, 19th and early 20th century, which presents a real challenge when it comes to retrofit and energy efficiency. It is made up of three buildings – each with its own boiler – covering 27 separate rooms.
“Working with CREW, as part of the grants with Hackney Light and Power, to install solar panels at Parkwood Primary School was a seamless experience. The team provided excellent support from start to finish, making the process easy and efficient. Their ongoing engagement with our school community, including follow-up work with parents and pupils, has been invaluable in promoting sustainability and environmental awareness.”
Paul Thomas, Head at Parkwood Primary School
