​Two of Coventry's largest education sites are set to dramatically reduce their reliance on fossil fuels thanks to a major solar installation project. Sidney Stringer Academy and Coventry College, both located in Hillfields, will soon generate around 90% of their electricity needs from rooftop solar panels. The initiative is being delivered as part of the West Midlands Combined Authority's wider programme to support the region's transition to low-carbon energy.

The schools are among the most energy-intensive buildings in the city, with high heating and power demands. By moving towards solar generation, they will significantly cut carbon emissions and lower operating costs. Annual savings are projected at about £90,000, freeing up resources to be reinvested in education and student support.

Funding for the installation has been provided through a £700,000 grant from Great British Energy, the new publicly owned energy company. Alongside the installation itself, additional funding will enable training programmes so that staff and students can learn how to maintain the technology, helping to build local skills in the renewable energy sector.

The initiative is part of a £200 million regional scheme designed to decarbonise nearly 20,000 homes, businesses, and public buildings across the West Midlands. The programme aims not only to reduce emissions but also to support local jobs, provide long-term savings on energy bills, and encourage wider community involvement in sustainable practices.

Hillfields residents are already receiving help to make their homes more energy efficient, and the addition of large-scale solar power at two of the area's most prominent institutions is seen as another positive step towards creating a cleaner, greener community. The project highlights how investment in renewable energy can deliver both environmental and economic benefits, ensuring that public buildings play a leading role in the shift to sustainability.