HHundreds of solar panels are to be installed on a Clydebank school to help meet its power needs and cut its impact on the environment.

St Peter the Apostle High would see a total of 310 panels installed, with 155 on each of the two south-west wings.

They would cover 301 square metres of each roof.

They would generate a possible 715kWh/kWp a year for the school on the wings pointing towards St Eunan’s Primary. It would cut an estimated 17,790kg of CO2 emissions each year.

West Dunbartonshire Council bosses said St Peter’s currently uses 1,190,000kWh a year, equivalent to 252,280kg of CO2 each year.

The solar panels on the school, which will follow the existing seven in the local authority to have them added, would cut the requirement on electricity mains by seven per cent.

Council planning bosses have approved the plan, which will cost £140,000 and work is being carried out under the existing PPP schools contract.

An existing protection on the school’s roof to prevent workers from falling would be extended to ensure safe access to the solar panels.

Because of the height of the school, the panels being set back from the roof edge and the building’s distance from residential properties, planners expected “no unacceptable impacts”.

The plan for St Peter’s was first revealed in February 2020, after councillors called the year before for options to increase solar power.

Panels are currently in use at schools including St Mary’s Primary in Duntocher, Dumbarton Academy, St Stephen’s Primary in Gartocharn and St Michael’s Primary.

There are also ones at the council’s Dumbarton HQ, Balloch Campus, Levenvale Park and Crosslet House.

Scottish Government policies set a 2020 target of achieving 100 per cent of energy from renewable sources.