Winchester MP Steve Brine is encouraging local schools to compete for free solar panels.

Mr Brine is urging local schools to take advantage of British Gas’ £15 million solar panel giveaway.

All schools in the UK are eligible to put themselves forward to the company in order to win solar panels, worth between £20,000 and £40,000 each.

Schools will need to demonstrate they are amongst the most sustainable in the country before winning the panels, which could cut as much as 20 per cent off a school’s annual electricity bill.

Up to 750 schools will receive free solar panels, with around half of the prizes going to schools in low-income areas.

In addition to the solar panels, schools will also receive a free energy display meter. This is expected to help reduce energy consumption by a further 10-15 per cent.

Interested schools should apply by October 22. Following this, a short list of schools will be decided and winners will be announced in November.

Mr Brine said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for local schools to both go green and save money. Schools which win the British Gas competition will be able to generate their own green electricity, helping them cut as much as 20 per cent off their annual electricity bill – surely a great incentive to apply.

“If you think that a school in your community would benefit from getting free solar panels, please spend five minutes filling out the form on the British Gas Generation Green website – there’s every chance that a school in Winchester or Chandler’s Ford could win the competition, and save money and energy.”