Guide · Schools

School solar: roof condition and PPA contracts

Funded solar can cut a school's bills, but two things decide whether it stays a good deal: the roof underneath and the contract behind it. This guide sets out what to check before you sign.

Reviewed September 2026 · UK education estates

Key takeaways

Do not install solar on a roof with less than five years of remaining life. Plan roof works and solar together where possible.
A PPA avoids upfront cost but commits the school or trust to buying electricity for many years, so read the term, indexation and exit terms carefully.
Check what happens if the school converts, changes trust, closes or needs roof repairs during the contract.
Academies may need DfE consent for some long-term agreements. Check the Academy Trust Handbook first.
DfE's Get help buying for schools lists a solar PV framework that supports compliant procurement.

Start with the roof

Solar panels usually stay in place for decades. Removing and refitting them for roof repairs costs time and money, so roof condition comes first.

Commission a condition survey

Record covering type, age, defects, insulation, fixings and expected remaining life. Include asbestos information for older buildings.

Check structure

A structural engineer should confirm the roof can carry the extra load, including wind and snow loads, before design is finalised.

Combine works where it makes sense

If a roof is due for replacement within a few years, doing both together avoids paying for access and removal twice.

Agree who pays for removal

The contract should state who removes and reinstates panels for roof repairs, how long that can take and whether lost generation is charged.

Read the PPA carefully

Under a power purchase agreement a funder owns the panels and the school buys the electricity they produce. That can work well, but the detail matters.

Term

How many years is the school committed for, and is that longer than the roof or the school's estate plans can support?

Price and indexation

Is the price fixed, or does it rise each year with an index such as RPI? Model what the price looks like in later years against expected grid prices.

Break and transfer clauses

What happens on academy conversion, trust transfer, closure, sale or redevelopment? Are there buy-out costs, and how are they calculated?

Responsibilities

Who maintains, insures, monitors and repairs the system? What happens if generation falls below the forecast?

Approvals and buying routes

Consent

Academies should check whether DfE or ESFA consent is needed for the lease or contract. Maintained schools should involve their local authority.

Frameworks

DfE's Get help buying for schools service lists a solar PV supply and installation framework. Using a framework can simplify compliant procurement.

Government programmes

Government has announced funded solar for hundreds of schools and a PPA pilot, with plans to open PPAs to more schools. Check GOV.UK for current eligibility.

References

Ask suppliers for references from schools they have supplied and for evidence of installer accreditation.

Questions to ask before signing

Ask for the roof survey, structural check, generation forecast and assumptions, contract term, price indexation, break and transfer terms, maintenance and insurance responsibilities, and school references. If a supplier cannot answer these clearly, pause.

This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Take advice from your trust's finance and legal advisers before signing a long-term agreement.

Related education and solar guides

Frequently asked questions

How much roof life does a school need before installing solar?

DfE-linked guidance reported by Tes says solar panels must not be installed on a roof with less than five years of remaining life. In practice, aim for a roof that will outlast most of the system's working life, or plan roof works and solar together.

Is a long solar PPA a risk for a school?

It can be. A PPA can avoid upfront cost, but the school or trust is committing to buy electricity for many years. Check the contract length, price indexation, what happens if the school closes, converts or joins a trust, and who pays for removal and reinstatement during roof repairs.

Does an academy need DfE consent for a solar PPA?

Academies may need DfE or ESFA consent for some leases and long-term contracts. Check the current Academy Trust Handbook and ask your trust's finance lead before signing.

Do schools have to use a buying framework?

Schools must follow public procurement rules. DfE's Get help buying for schools service lists a solar PV supply and installation framework, which many schools use to simplify compliant buying.

What should we ask a supplier before signing?

Ask for the roof survey, structural check, generation forecast and its assumptions, the PPA price and indexation, contract term and break clauses, maintenance and insurance responsibilities, and references from schools they have supplied.

Official sources and further guidance

Funding, tax and policy details can change. Check the current scheme rules and obtain professional advice before committing expenditure.

Get an independent check of your school roof and solar options

Start with your latest 12 months of electricity bills and half-hourly consumption data for each site.

Request a feasibility review Gather your energy data

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