Education
Summary
Client: Beaumont Boys School
Site: Beaumont, Cork, Ireland
Sector: Education – Primary School
Beaumont Boys School in Beaumont, Cork, has a longstanding commitment to sustainability through its active Green Schools Committee, which takes a holistic approach to environmental impact across water, waste, and energy.
When the opportunity arose to install a solar PV system, the project naturally aligned with the school’s ethos of environmental awareness and education.
With 42 high-performance solar panels now in place, the school generates its own renewable electricity, reduces its carbon footprint, and provides a unique learning experience for students to engage directly with green technology. This initiative supports both the school’s sustainability objectives and SE Systems’ mission to empower future generations with the knowledge and tools to live more sustainably.
The Challenge
Like many schools, Beaumont Boys faced budget constraints with no capital expenditure funds available for significant infrastructure upgrades. Rising energy bills added further pressure to operational budgets, leaving limited resources to invest in sustainability improvements.
The challenge was clear:
- Find a way to reduce energy costs without requiring upfront capital from the school.
- Deliver a project that would educate students about renewable energy and sustainability in a hands-on way.
- Create long-term financial savings and budget certainty for the school community.
The Solution
SE Systems worked closely with Beaumont Boys School to design an innovative “Pay-As-You-Save” funding model, powered by a CAPEX investment approach.
This model allowed the school to install a sufficiently large solar PV system with no initial outlay. Instead, the savings generated on energy bills are used to repay the cost of the system over an agreed period, supplemented by the SEAI grant. Once fully paid off, all energy generated translates directly into cost savings for the school.
Key elements of the project included:
- 42 Astronergy 445W solar panels, totalling 18.69 kWp capacity
- Full design, installation, and ESB grid connection managed by SE Systems
- Real-time monitoring tools so students and staff can track energy generation and environmental impact
- Safe installation with minimal disruption to school operations
This structure not only addressed the financial challenge but also created a living classroom, where students can observe real-time renewable energy data and gain practical insights into sustainability.
The Impact
The project is already delivering measurable benefits:
- 2.43 tonnes of CO₂ saved to date
- Peak production of over 3,000 kWh in May, outperforming initial projections of 2,314 kWh
- Significant reductions in monthly electricity bills, with 60% of total electricity usage now offset by solar power
- Immediate cost savings that can be reinvested into school facilities and student programmes
Students have been quick to embrace the technology, using the monitoring system to track energy generation, savings, and environmental benefits.
Customer Feedback
Assistant Principal Sean Coakley at Beaumont Boys School, along with the school’s parents’ association, was delighted with how seamless and stress-free the upgrade process turned out to be
“My son came home a few weeks ago and told me all of the figures and facts about how much energy the school had saved, even how many trees that equated to. The children love the information and technology behind it, and it’s going to have a really positive impact on their learning for years to come.”
Katherine
BOM Parent
Beyond financial savings, the system has become a catalyst for education, fostering awareness about sustainability both within the school and throughout the local community.
“We had no capital expenditure pot available to us, so the CAPEX model was very attractive. There was no initial outlay for the school, and as we generate our own energy, the savings pay for the system over time. Eventually, we will fully own the system and have real monetary savings that we can reinvest into our students and facilities.”
Sean Coakley
Assistant Principal at Beaumont Boys School
Looking Ahead
The Beaumont Boys School project is about more than just cost savings. It empowers the next generation to lead sustainable change.
Students are gaining hands-on knowledge about renewable energy, while the school community experiences the real-world benefits of clean energy.
For SE Systems, this project reflects our commitment to leaving a legacy of sustainability, equipping schools and communities with the tools and expertise to thrive long into the future.
Looking to Make Your School or Community More Sustainable?
Beaumont Boys School is just one example of how SE Systems helps schools and community organisations take control of their energy future.
As Ireland’s leading SEAI partner for solar PV projects, we deliver expert design, seamless installation, and long-term savings through innovative funding models like “Pay-As-You-Save.”
Whether your goal is to reduce energy costs, educate the next generation, or future-proof your facilities, our team will guide you every step of the way.
Looking Ahead
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