On 16 May, Brighton Energy Co-operative launched a share offer to raise £200,000 for its solar energy scheme that will generate community-owned green power in Brighton & Hove and fund local projects to help people reduce their energy bills. The launch event at the Friends’ Meeting House was attended by Green MP Caroline Lucas and leader of the council, Jason Kitcat. It is not too late to join in as the launch offer runs until 14 June, and interested parties can make a pledge to buy shares on the Brighton Energy Co-operative website www.brightonenergy.org.uk
Investors will be able to buy shares in Brighton Energy Co-operative, entitling them to a stake in the project. The money raised will be used to fund the purchase and installation of solar arrays on roofs owned by Shoreham Port, St George’s Church (Kemptown) and City Coast Church (Portslade). In return for lending their roof space, they will receive free electricity for 25 years.
The combined arrays, equivalent of the size of one football pitch, will generate 120kW over their lifetime (25 years) — enough to power 40 homes and save 1,085 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Brighton Energy Co-operative will receive an income from the electricity generated from the feed-in-tariff, a Government-backed subsidy that’s guaranteed for 25 years. This will be used to pay annual interest to investors and fund community projects, such as insulating homes to make them more energy efficient.
Brighton Energy Co-operative’s chairman Will Cottrell, said: “We are delighted to be able to bring this offer to Brighton & Hove residents. It’s a great opportunity for local people to get involved in and own a renewable energy scheme in the city. By supporting the generation of clean energy, they are helping Brighton & Hove reduce its reliance on polluting fossil fuels, lower its carbon dioxide emissions and become one of the country’s greenest cities.”
For more information, contact Will Cottrell at info@brightonenergy.org.uk or call 07789 646871.
What an intriguing and worthwhile concept. I’ve come across community wind projects before but this is the first one I’me aware of in solar.
Solar energy s very much under utilized, mainly because of costs, I feel. Although the costs are coming down, this is a great way for communities to pull together and reap the benefits and contain the costs at the same time.
Best wishes for the success of the project.