Solar Canopies Improve Carleton High School's Outdoor Space

Solar Canopies Improve Carleton High School’s Outdoor Space

Carleton High School is a large secondary school in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, with more than 1,020 students between the ages of 11 and 16, and the school is part of Pontefract Academies Trust.

Project Overview

Motiva VoltSpan™

Steelwork:

Anthracite Grey - RAL NO. 7016

With a growing student population and busy outdoor areas, the school needed better shelter for daily use. The management team was looking for a solution for their school that would provide protection from the weather while also being sustainable and fitting into their large redevelopment project. A durable, unique looking, and future-proof solar canopy system design was needed.

They also needed a structure that would work alongside existing solar features. Most importantly, they wanted a safe space for students to use all year.

Challenges

Limited shelter: Students didn’t have many covered areas to stay safe from rain, wind, or bright sun.
Busy outdoor areas: There is usually heavy foot traffic in shared spaces during breaks.
High traffic areas: Such spaces were always crowded during breaks.
New building layout: The modern site included services and solar equipment that required careful planning.
Safety needs: All work needed to follow strict rules for safety and access.

The school leaders wanted a clear way to solve these issues without disrupting learning.

Our Solar Canopy Solution

A&S Landscape started with a meeting to plan and do a full site inspection. By learning about how the students use the space, we were able to assess where to carry out the works in order to affect the school day as little as possible.

Based upon this review, it was recommended to the school to install two Motiva VoltSpan™ Canopies, with a robust structure to support solar energy installations and to provide weather protection for the children at the school. The canopies were constructed with a solid steel frame finished in RAL7016 Anthracite Grey.

The two solar canopies covered a combined area of around 180 square metres. This created sheltered space for seating, social use, and circulation. Together, the pv canopies can comfortably serve over 120 students at peak times.

The design was adjusted to fit around existing buildings and services. We planned the site drainage and foundations according to site conditions and the installation will take place within agreed working hours to ensure that at all times both staff and children are not disturbed in their daily routines.

Key Features and Materials

Structure: An all-steel frame with a Duracoat™ finish in RAL7016 with industry-leading guarantees.
Roofing: Steel roofing to protect the building and support the solar panels.
Guttering: Steel gutters and downpipes that match each other to manage the flow of rainwater.
Sides: The design has open sides to let air flow and give clear sight lines.

All elements were selected to balance the aesthetic appeal, strength, and safety.

Results

Better comfort: Regardless of weather conditions, students can stay dry and sheltered from the weather conditions.
Better use of space: Outdoor areas can be used all year long.
Reduced risk during movement: Use of covered walkways reduces pedestrian traffic during inclement weather.
Enhanced site integration: The canopies coordinate well with the existing solar system infrastructure.

These results directly addressed the school’s main concerns.

Conclusion

Carleton High School has gained outdoor spaces that match its high standards. Students benefit from better protection and improved social areas. We are proud to have delivered a solution that supports learning, wellbeing, and future growth.

This project shows how well-planned canopies can improve daily school life. The two Motiva VoltSpan™ structures now provide safe, modern, and flexible shelter. They support student comfort, staff supervision, and long-term site planning.