A SOLAR roof could save a Hucknall school up to £175,000 over the next 25 years.

Leen Mills Primary is one of the first in the country to have an in-built solar power roof on a classroom.

Electricity generated by the roof of the eco-classroom will be sold to the National Grid at a profit of 40p per unit.

It means the school could make £7,000 a year.

Robert Shaw Primary, Beechdale, had a similar building installed after National School in Hucknall was used as a prototype last year.

Leen Mills head John White said: "We needed new classroom space because we have had a rise in the number of pupils.

"We are an eco-school and when I heard about this opportunity I found it very interesting.

"It only took a few days to build and it is great. We have a classroom for years five and six, along with a cloakroom.

"We buy electricity for 9p per unit which the school uses. But we are now able to sell what electricity is made by the solars for 49p per unit. It is a terrific boost for the school."

The classrooms cost about £100,000.

The Leen Mills building was paid for through a 'section 106' agreement with a developer

These agreements require developers to give money to councils for roads, parks, education, health and low-cost housing.

Mr White said the money saved this year would be spent on building an outdoor classroom.

Mr White said: "We are keen to provide more outdoor opportunities and this extra money is going to enable us to provide this."

The roofs are the brainchild of Nottingham-based Blue Planet Buildings.

Chief executive Derick Wilson said he knew of no other such schemes in the country.

"It is completely unique," he said. "We did one at the National School in Hucknall a while ago and have been perfecting it since then.

"At a time when schools are struggling to find money for a rebuild, we feel this will be a vital tool as the building eventually pays for itself. I believe schools across the country and in other countries could soon be looking into these.

"There are many buildings with just a solar panel, but this technology is completely integrated with the building."

Professor Saffa Riffat, of the department of the built environment at the University of Nottingham, said: "This is a very unique scheme and one which will benefit both the environment and the school.

"It is especially crucial at a time when a scheme to rebuild schools has been abandoned.

"I think other schools should definitely get involved. They are quick to build and the money spent can be recouped through the electricity that is sold."