SSE Airtricity and Microsoft team up providing solar panels for schools

In the latest initiative from SSE Airtricity to invest in their Generation Green mission.

They have just announced a partnership with Microsoft to install internet-connected solar panels on 27 schools across the country.

Microsoft and SSE Airtricity have just announced their partnership together in helping Irish schools to save energy and reduce the country’s carbon footprint. Microsoft and SSE Airtricity are investing almost €1m in the project, which will see the 27 schools powering classrooms using energy generated from their own roofs.

The companies have also said that the new rooftop solar panels on the 27 schools will help to generate enough electricity for 68 homes for a full year. By installing the rooftop panels in primary and secondary schools in Leinster, Munster, and Connaught, the new partners expect to offset 2.1m kg of CO2 emissions over the next 15 years.

The panels will be connected to the cloud platform Microsoft Azure.SSE Airtricity managing director Klair Neenan said she is looking forward to supporting the schools “on their decarbonisation journey”.“This new collaborative project will allow students throughout Ireland to see first-hand how sustainability and renewable energy can combine to help fight the climate emergency, while also benefitting their school and community on a daily basis,” she explained.

Managing Director of Microsoft Ireland, Cathriona Hallahan has said “By harnessing the power of technology, we can live out our mission in a way that protects our planet and our local communities. Collectively we can take a step in the right direction and harness the power of innovative technology that will help generate renewable energy and go some way towards offsetting carbon emissions.”

Education first

But the project doesn’t end there. Digital screens have been set up in the schools so students can track the real-time energy use of the panels and pupils can visualise the energy generated and how it impacts their environment. They will also complete an interactive three-part learning program on the climate emergency and the role technology can play in creating more sustainable communities across the country.

Header Image from Pexels (Gustavo Fring)