We’re celebrating reaching an impressive £2 million to bring the renewables revolution to Bristol and the South West. Thanks to huge support from all of you both locally and nationally, our solar projects are even closer to reality with investors raising record sums in this exciting crowdfunding campaign.  
This £2 million milestone has been raised through our previous bond offer, and the current bond and share offers, which will now be extended until 3 May 2016 to give even more investors the opportunity to contribute to the development of clean, community-based energy.

The campaign has created a real word of mouth buzz with referrals being the biggest driver for investing via positive investment platform, Ethex.

The funds raised will finance the purchase of an operational 4.6MWp solar array at Puriton, Somerset, build a solar park near Lawrence Weston, Bristol and install solar panels on 19 community buildings across Bristol.

Raised by the community, for the community

On the completion of this crowdfunding campaign, a community benefit fund of £100,000 will be available to local groups. Surplus profits from our solar projects are reinvested into this community benefit fund.

Andy O’Brien, our co-director said:

“We are delighted to have reached the £2 million landmark in such a short time frame, and would like to thank all our investors and supporters for backing our campaign so wholeheartedly.

“It is an incredible achievement, and testament to the fact that people want to power our communities differently. Rather than being in the hands of the “big six”, community energy puts energy into local control as well as offering a return on investment. Our crowdfunding success puts BEC at the heart of this renewable energy revolution with Bristol and the South West leading the way.”

For bond offer investor, Liz Larkin:

“I feel it is critical to take climate change seriously and for each of us to do what we can to start tipping the balance in favour of a better future for us and for our children. I have invested in Bristol Energy Co-op because it is well run and is taking practical action right now that will benefit us all.”

For investor, Tyrone Probert:

“The Bristol Energy Co-op is empowering normal people to make a real difference to a carbon free future so this is a phenomenal shift in how we can stop talking and take action without waiting on government.”

You can find out more about our crowdfunding solar project on our website or visit: www.ethex.org.uk/Bristolbond . Community groups in Bristol and Somerset can register their interest in the £100,000 community fund by emailing: communityfund@bristolenergy.coop