Posted on: Friday 16 January 2026
Pupils at Greenmeadow Primary School have been getting hands‑on with renewable energy this week by assembling a Solar Explorer kit and discovering how solar power is generated.
The school is one of six in Torfaen to have funded the new kit, with training delivered by Solar for Schools - a leading provider of solar energy solutions for education.
During the workshop, members of the school’s Eco Committee learnt how electricity is produced and discussed clean alternatives such as wind, solar and hydropower.
Working in small groups, pupils were assigned engineering and assembly roles and built the Solar Explorer kit from scratch.
They used a lightbulb to simulate sunlight, seeing first‑hand how a solar panel converts light energy into electricity by powering LEDs and other components.
Pupils will now be able to take the Explorer Kit outdoors, applying the same process they learned in class but powered by real sunlight.
Year 6 pupil Finley, said: "I loved helping to build the kit! It was fun learning about all the different appliances we use every day and how many watts they need to work."
Year 5 pupil Lois, added: "My favourite part was trying out the solar kit in different types of light. It was really cool seeing how it can still make energy!"
The Eco Committee will now share their learning with pupils and staff across the school, enabling the kit to be used in all lessons.
Claire Moses, Headteacher at Greenmeadow Primary School, said: “At Greenmeadow, we are incredibly proud of our proactive and passionate Eco Committee, who meet every week to help make our school as environmentally friendly as possible.
“Today’s Solar Explorer training was extremely informative and provided our pupils with valuable, hands‑on STEM learning that brings the national curriculum to life. It’s been a fantastic opportunity for them to see real‑world sustainability in action.”
Greenmeadow Primary School is one of 14 Torfaen schools signed up to the Invest to save scheme in 2023, which involved the installation of 12kW capacity of solar panels on the school roof.
Since then, the school has reduced its on‑grid energy usage by 27%, saving an estimated £8,300 in energy consumption.
Cllr Richard Clark said: “Workshops like these equip our young people with the knowledge and confidence to tackle the climate emergency head on, helping them understand how everyday choices and innovative technology can make a real difference.
“School days like this really bring our
Not In, Miss Out school attendance campaign to life, and reinforces the message that showing up to school really matters, every day in class gives pupils more opportunities to learn, take part, and thrive.”