Bristol City Leap has announced a new programme to install solar panels across five public and community buildings in Bristol over the next few months, supporting the city’s transition to cleaner energy while cutting emissions and reducing energy bills for local services. The project includes three schools, a children’s centre, and the iconic M Shed, delivering a combined initial estimated solar capacity of 143.33kWp (kilowatt-peak).
The sites benefiting from this project and receiving new solar installs are Avonmouth Church of England School and Nursery, Kingsweston School, Whitehall Primary School, Stockwood Children’s Centre, and the M Shed.
This project is estimated to save ~171.51 tonnes of CO2 over the lifetime of the project, which is equivalent to the annual carbon absorption of all the tree’s Bristol’s Brandon Hill park.
This programme has been made possible through grant funding from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority’s Mayoral Renewables Fund, matched with investment from Bristol City Council’s Revolving Energy Efficiency Fund (REEF).
Alexandra Coleman, Senior Vice President at Ameresco UK, said, “This programme reflects Bristol City Leap’s drive to scale up practical, clean energy solutions across the city. By equipping key community buildings with solar installations, we’re enabling schools, cultural venues and children’s services to cut carbon emissions measurably, while also securing long‑term reductions in their energy costs.”
Councillor Martin Fodor, Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee, said, “Helping our schools and community spaces transition to renewable energy is central to Bristol’s vision for a greener and more resilient city. This funding allows public buildings to operate with greater sustainability, easing financial pressures and reducing emissions so that future generations can benefit from cleaner, healthier neighbourhoods.”
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said, “I’m delighted that we’re supporting more environmental projects in the West of England, using the Mayoral Renewables Fund to empower local communities with cleaner energy.”
Work is expected to begin in early April, with completion anticipated in summer 2026.
