Helping educate the younger generations on renewable energy and inspiring them to think
about careers in the solar industry, are amongst the aims of a dedicated school’s
educational programme – which we are only too happy to support!
As part of a series of school visits taking place this year, more than 500 pupils – coming from
both primary and secondary schools – have taken part in workshops and been given a
behind-the-scenes tour of several of the solar farms we look after.
Facilitated by Earth Energy Education, the visits are designed to support the school
curriculum and STEM, with learning tailored for each school, and by age and ability.
Whilst on site, the children took part in a range of practical activities, as well as getting to
meet with our engineers to learn more about what it’s like working on a solar farm. Some of
the fun, experiential activities taking place included:
Studying solar farm habitats and ecosystems
Creating small solar powered circuits to see how electricity makes things work
Making bee houses and bug hotels for the solar farm
Exploring the wealth of wildlife and biodiversity on each site
Anesco Engineer Vince Waghorn commented: “It was fantastic to meet with the children and
to talk to them about renewable energy and what it’s like being an engineer on a solar farm.
They were so enthusiastic, especially to learn about biodiversity and how solar farms can
support nature and wildlife.”
Ian Corrick, Anesco HSE Advisor added: “It’s great to hear that 100% of the students who
attended the site visits have been inspired to take action following the sessions. I hope that
we have also inspired the children by giving them an insight into the many different types of
careers the industry has to offer.”
Lorna Lyle, founder of Earth Energy Education and education consultant, who co-ordinated
the initiative, said: “Earth Energy Education was born from a passion to embrace a future
sustained by green energy through educating and empowering our children. Our primary
objective is to get children out of the classroom and along to renewable energy sites for
some hands-on, experiential learning – as you always learn better when you are having fun!
A huge thank you to all the schools who took part this year, and to Anesco and the solar
farm owners, who so kindly allowed the visits to go ahead. We look forward to hosting even
more workshops and visits in 2025.”
A teacher from one of the primary school’s attending: “The children loved the hands-on
experience and asking questions of real-life engineers. We have learnt so much information
and got to practically apply our scientific skills of collecting data and making observations. It
is especially appreciated from a small school that can’t always afford this amazing
equipment. The children have spoken at length and with enthusiasm. It all added real life
application to our electricity science topic and geography – environmental issues.”
Anesco actively supports the aim of the Skills Group of Solar Taskforce UK to encourage
more young people into the solar industry, in line with helping the country achieve its target
of 70GW of solar by 2035. Through our work with schools and colleges, we continue to
highlight all the opportunities that the renewables industry has to offer.