Following the UN Secretary General António Guterres’ warning that humanity is on track to overshoot 1.5°C of global heating with “devastating consequences”, Ethex is launching a new opportunity to invest to support one of the UK’s most practical and immediate climate solutions: installing solar panels on schools and educating the next generation on sustainability.
Solar for Schools Community Benefit Society (CBS) is launching its 14th investment raise through ethical investment platform Ethex, offering a 5% targeted return, eligible to be held tax-free in an IFISA, to fund solar panel installations on up to 22 UK schools.
“By generating clean energy directly on school rooftops, we can cut carbon emissions, reduce schools’ energy bills and provide real-world climate education for students,” explains Director of the CBS Robert Schrimpff. “It’s a simple yet powerful way of preparing the next generation to lead the transition into the low-carbon future that is desperately needed.”
To date, Solar for Schools has installed solar panels on over 220 schools, saving more than 6,684 tonnes of CO₂, and delivered hands-on energy education to over 115,000 pupils. The new raise aims to help meet demand from more than 80 schools currently on the waiting list.
“We cannot wait for others to act.” – responding to a global call
In his pre-COP30 interview, António Guterres acknowledged it is now “inevitable” that humanity will overshoot the target in the Paris climate agreement, with “devastating consequences” for the world. He warned, “It is absolutely indispensable to change course… to avoid tipping points like the Amazon.”
This latest Solar for Schools investment raise offers people who feel helpless in the face of the climate crisis a concrete, positive action they can take today by supporting clean energy generation and climate education where it matters most.
Chris Butler, Acting CEO at Ethex, said:
“People are urgently looking for meaningful ways to respond to the climate crisis. Investing through this latest Solar for Schools bond offer enables everyday investors to be part of a solution that is practical, hopeful and already working. It helps cut carbon now, supports schools facing high energy costs, and empowers thousands of young people to understand and lead the transition we need. This is climate action with direct, measurable impact.”
Robert Schrimpff, Director of Solar for Schools CBS, said:
“When we speak with students, they ask the same question that sparked our work 10 years ago: ‘What can we do to stop climate change?’ The answer is that knowledge and action must go hand-in-hand. By installing solar on schools, we cut emissions today while giving young people the understanding and experience to accelerate change tomorrow. This investment raise will enable more schools to join the effort and more students to become climate leaders of tomorrow.”
The bond offer has a target raise of £2 million; however, more than £1.1 million of that has already been raised through previous Solar for Schools bondholders who have reinvested their repayments from an earlier bond offer. The minimum investment is £50 and the bond offers 5% annual returns (potentially tax-free) over the five-year term of the bond.
Tangible impact
The impact of each £1,000 invested over five years is:
Offer closing date: 30 January 2025
Investors can learn more and invest at:https://www.ethex.org.uk/investments
Press Contact:
Ethex Press Office
Phone: +44 07970 767 869
Email: melissa.gilmour@ethex.org.uk
Website: www.ethex.org.uk
About Ethex
Ethex is the UK’s leading positive investment platform, connecting everyday people with impactful projects that deliver social and environmental benefits alongside financial returns. Its latest impact report (Ethex, 2023) highlighted that Ethex has mobilised over 20,000 positive investors to raise over £130 million to back more than 220 pioneering projects that have created a positive impact.
About Solar for Schools
Solar for Schools Community Benefit Society (CBS) works to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future by installing solar panels on school rooftops and empowering young people through climate education. Since 2016, Solar for Schools has installed solar on over 220 schools across the UK, saving schools money, cutting carbon emissions and giving students hands-on experience of renewable energy. As a Community Benefit Society, Solar for Schools reinvests surpluses to expand its impact and support more schools to go solar.