Our £5 million planned community energy projects come closer to reality this week as solar panels begin to be installed at community buildings across the city. With your help we’ve raised over £850,000 in our crowdfunding campaign so far, and are using these funds to install solar panels on Easton Community Centre and Brentry and Henbury Children’s Centres.These new solar projects offer Bristolians the power to make things happen for their own communities. The £5 million target will finance a portfolio of projects to develop local, clean energy, including two solar farms – one near Lawrence Weston and the other near Puriton, Somerset – and the installation of solar panels on around 20 community buildings.
People have two opportunities to invest via a share and bond offer. For as little as £50 investors can join the growing community of people who want to participate in the development of clean energy.
An investment in community energy can offer financial benefits for individuals whilst the community gets subsidised green energy. Surplus income from the projects will go into a community benefit fund, and if all the projects go ahead and run as projected, £4 million would be paid into that fund over the 25-year project period.
The installations will be carried out by local companies, 1 World Solar and Ecocetera, two of the South West’s most experienced, accredited installers of renewable energy systems.
This animation illustrates how Bristol Energy Cooperative’s projects can deliver for the local community and economy:
Our chair, Peter Thompson said:
“Our #OwnIt campaign is a powerful example of communities coming together to lead the way on renewables and act on climate change; a fitting and lasting legacy post Bristol’s Green Capital year as the city aims for 100% renewables by 2050.
“We’ve just taken a major step forward in our ambitious plans with solar panels being installed on three community buildings across the city. As our campaign reaches its final month, we hope that more people will be inspired to take up the opportunity to participate in the development of local renewables. This is just the beginning.”
We have a well-established track record of bringing the benefits of community energy to Bristol. In our previous share offers, we raised £247,000 from over 200 investor-members, and installed solar panels on community buildings including Hamilton House in Stokes Croft, Knowle West Media Centre, and Easton Community Centre.
Easton Community Centre is once more also benefitting from this third fund-raise with solar panels being installed on Friday 8 January. Julian Weston, Finance Manager (pictured above) said:
“The solar panels plus other initiatives we have taken have reduced our energy costs by a factor of 50%. We think it’s a fantastic project because that saving, not only is it green and kind to the environment, it’s enabling us to use that money on other things around the centre.”
You can find out more about how Bristol Energy Cooperative has already helped communities in Bristol and its future plans in our video:
How to invest
Bristol Energy Cooperative has selected Ethex, an online investment platform, to market the share and bond offers and act as receiving agent for its investment applications. Read more about the bond and share offer.
Risk Warning
Investment decisions must only be made on the basis of the share and bond offer document and not on information provided in this release. Your original investment capital may be at risk and any return on your investment depends on the success of the Puriton solar array and Bristol Energy Cooperative’s business as a whole. You should read the offer document in full, including the risk factors set out in the offer documents, and the terms and conditions regarding this offer at ethex.org.uk before investing. You should consider taking appropriate financial and other advice before making any investment decision.
