Bristol Energy Cooperative is one of the largest community energy groups in the UK, building a renewable power station on Bristol’s roofs since 2011.
ABOUT BEC
Since 2011, we have channelled over £13.4 million into clean energy infrastructure, bringing 25 solar and battery projects online with a combined capacity of 12 megawatts – enough to power 4,500 homes a year
We keep these assets in community hands – so it’s local people, not private companies, who benefit from them for years to come.
We believe the shift to clean energy must be fast, but it must also be fair. That’s why we’re not just installing solar panels – we’re funding grassroots projects, cutting carbon, and giving people real power over their energy future.
our mission
To build a fairer, greener energy system – owned by the people it serves.
Strong Track Record
2012
Our first community share offer in 2012 raised £127,000 from 160 investor-members, exceeding its target, and enabling us to install solar panels at Hamilton House, Knowle West Media Centre, and Easton Community Centre.
2013-2015
Over the next few years we installed six more rooftop arrays – including Bristol Folk House, South Bristol Sports Centre, and Empire Fighting Chance – taking our total installed rooftop capacity to 254kW.
2016
In late 2016 our two solar farms, with a total capacity of 8.8MWp, came online. This was just in time to also benefit from Feed-in-Tariffs, providing a reliable financial return over the projects’ lifetimes.
2017-2021
After the end of the Feed-in-Tariffs, we looked to bigger installations and investment in an innovative microgrid project. We also worked with new site partners such as John Sheppard Butchers and Bristol Indoor Bowls Club.
2022-2024
In 2022, our 1MW solar installation on The Bottle Yard Studios 2 (TBY2) became the biggest community-owned solar rooftop of its kind in the country. A £500k grant from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority enabled us to roll out another 1.5MW of rooftop solar capacity.
2025-2026
We continue on our mission to build a renewable power station on Bristol’s roofs. Some more exciting potential projects include a 5.7MW solar farm with partners Great Western Air Ambulance Charity.
CITY OF BRISTOL JUST TRANSITION DECLARATION
Bristol Energy Cooperative is proud to be a signatory to the just transition declaration
As a sector which puts local people at the heart of decision making, community-owned energy is in a strong position to lead by example on the road to achieving a just energy transition.
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