Education Minister Alex Allinson says his department is working with the Department of Infrastructure and the Climate Change Board to consider opportunities for installing solar panels on school properties.

Responding to criticism from Go Green: Isle of Man, a firm promoting clean energy technologies, Mr Allinson said work was under way to identify suitable projects.

Director of Go Green, Steven Elkin complained that reroofing schemes for Laxey and Andreas primary schools did not include provision for solar panels, and said this was an opportunity going to waste.

Dr Allinson said: ’We do recognise the particular importance of taking these steps at our schools, to help educate future generations of the measures which can be used to reduce our impact on the environment. We have been proactive in taking steps to better insulate and improve the airtightness of our existing buildings, and also incorporate measures such as ground source and air-source heating systems in our new schools.’

He said the sports hall roofing scheme at Ballakermeen High School includes provision for solar panels, subject to funding.

’We are working with DoI and the Climate Change Group to identify suitable projects including PV panels, and secure funding for these,’ said Dr Allinson.