One of the biggest solar panel installations at a school is to be installed at Warwick Academy.

The school said the 274 high performance 330 watt panels will reduce its electricity bill by about 17 per cent – a saving of about $50,000 a year.

Jane Vickers, the director of development at Warwick Academy, added: "This is part of reducing our carbon footprint and the eco-friendly bent that we have.

“We are getting this installation up and going then will look at other parts of the school.

“There will be an information display and a solar panel in the classroom that will power a computer fan at first, then at Christmas it will power some fairy lights and we can change it throughout the year.

“Once completed, the entire system can be controlled and monitored remotely via a portal that provides detailed, real time and historical data that can be leveraged for educational content.

"We will also have a walkway up to the roof so we can take the students up there and they can see it at work.“

The move is part of a long-term plan by the school to reduce its carbon footprint.

Bermuda Alternative Energy, the supplier and installer, will also team up with teachers to help make the solar project part of the curriculum so that pupils can experience real-life demonstrations of the benefits of solar power.

The system when completed will be 90,420 watts with an estimated annual production of over 136,000 kilowatt hours of electricity.

Ms Vickers said that the money saved could go towards bursaries or new buildings.

The planning application has been submitted for final approval and the usual time frame for approval is ten to 12 weeks.

The first phase of installation, at the science wing, is expected to be completed by Easter.

Saltus Grammar School is also installing solar panels on its buildings and has completed a second phase.