The Department for Education has announced the next wave of the rollout of the solar panel programme for schools.

Schools and colleges across England are set to save an estimated £220 million on energy bills over the lifetime of the solar panels.

245 schools and colleges already have government-funded solar panels. Backed by up to £40 million from the government 100 more are set to join the Great British Energy Solar Partnership.

Secondary schools who have had solar panels installed, and their lights upgraded to LED lighting, are saving £58,600 a year, and primaries £21,000.

Another 150 schools and colleges across Yorkshire & Humber, the East Midlands and the South East will pilot a new model, with the private sector installing and maintaining high quality panels. Under this pilot, schools, colleges and government won’t pay a penny upfront. Private investment will be subject to quality checks and will then fund, install, own and maintain the panels, and schools will simply buy the electricity generated at a rate significantly cheaper than their normal tariff.

Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson said: "Every pound a school saves on its energy bills is a pound that can be spent where it matters most – helping children achieve and thrive.

"These figures show our solar programme is already saving schools millions of pounds every year, with some secondary schools saving almost £60,000 annually.

"We’re going further – expanding this programme so hundreds more schools and colleges can cut their bills and put that money straight back into the classroom."

Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband said: "Schools across the country are set to save millions on their energy bills thanks to Great British Energy solar panels.

"Now hundreds more schools and colleges across the country will benefit from this pilot scheme, helping them to bring down their bills with clean homegrown power and put more money back into classrooms where it belongs."