Thirteen schools across Sunderland are set to benefit from the installation of solar panels over the next six months, following a successful £345,000 funding bid by Sunderland City Council.

The funding comes from the Mayoral Renewable Energy Fund, a £10 million initiative aimed at supporting strategic local authorities in advancing renewable energy as part of the Government’s Great British Energy early delivery phase for 2025/26. The bid was made in partnership with the North East Combined Authority (NECA).

The selected schools, spanning Sunderland, Washington, and Houghton. were chosen based on their ability to deliver wider community benefits. Savings generated from reduced energy bills will be reinvested by the schools to support activities such as buying books, IT equipment, or funding extracurricular opportunities like school trips or clubs.


Installation work is expected to begin soon, with the council supporting each school through the process and the eventual switch-on of the solar technology. The investment is anticipated to bring long-term financial, social, and environmental benefits.

This latest project builds on an earlier £500,000 investment approved by the council in its 2024/25 budget, which is already delivering solar panels at 25 schools across the city to help further reduce energy costs.

Schools Set to Receive Solar Panels:

Barmston Village Primary School – Washington

Castletown Primary School – Sunderland

Easington Lane Primary School – Houghton

Grangetown Primary School – Sunderland

Grindon Infant School and Nursery – Sunderland

Hudson Road Primary School – Sunderland

Hylton Castle Primary School – Sunderland

Marlborough Primary School – Washington

Shiney Row Primary School – Houghton

Southwick Primary School – Sunderland

The Link School – Sunderland

Wessington Primary School – Washington

Willow Wood Primary School – Sunderland