Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative – The NEN

Tracy Gilbert MP welcomes investment in community solar projects in Edinburgh North and Leith

Tracy Gilbert MP has welcomed significant UK-wide investment in community renewable energy projects, which will deliver tangible benefits for local communities in Scotland.

The Great British Energy initiative is backing a total of £4 million into the UK’s community energy sector, supporting 48 community energy projects across Scotland, including two major developments in Edinburgh North and Leith.

Granton Project CIC – Harnessing solar power for community growth, receiving £70,043.
Edinburgh Community Solar Co-op (Phase 3) – Developing local solar capacity, awarded £484,500.

Tracy Gilbert MP said: “These investments demonstrate the UK Government’s commitment to renewable energy and to supporting communities across the country. I am pleased that two of these are in my constituency in Edinburgh North and Leith, which is becoming a true renewables hub.

“The projects will not only generate clean energy but also empower local communities with long-term benefits. Initiatives like these are helping to build a greener, more sustainable future for everyone.”

The Great British Energy investment is part of a wider effort to drive community energy generation growth across Scotland and the UK, ensuring that local areas can take an active role in the renewable energy transition.

Edinburgh Community Solar Co-op

Edinburgh Solar Co-op phase 3

£484,500

Granton Project CIC

Harnessing solar power for community growth

£70,043

Solar panels installed on City of Edinburgh Council HQ

A rooftop installation of solar panels has commenced on Waverley Court, the City of Edinburgh Council headquarters.

Waverley Court is the sixth public building to be fitted with community-owned solar panels as part of the second phase of one of the largest community-owned renewable energy projects in the UK.

Delivered by Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative (ECSC) in partnership with The City of Edinburgh Council, the first public share offer in 2015 enabled the project to install solar PV panels on 24 council and Edinburgh Leisure buildings across the city.

Last year the amount of renewable energy generated from the scheme was 866,405.78 kWh; enough to power 282 homes for a year1. Following a successful second public share offer in September 2020, a further six installations have now been added to the portfolio with Waverley Court being the largest.

The 160.46 kW installation on Waverley Court is anticipated to generate approximately 128,005 kWh per year; enough to power 41 homes for a year1. The project is due to be completed by 5th March 2021.

Surplus profits made by the project will be reinvested locally through a Community Benefit Fund.

Council Leader, Councillor Adam McVey, said: “We’re really pleased to be working in partnership with the Solar Co-operative on the installation and running of solar panels on council buildings.

“This is funded by community share offers and is a fantastic way we’ve been able to connect with residents who want to help tackle climate change.

“As well as supplying clean electricity to the council buildings the panels have helped reduce the council’s carbon emissions, supporting our target of net zero emissions by 2030.

“Additionally, the panels generate revenue which is put to good use through the community benefit fund by supporting new sustainable energy projects across the city.”

Lesley Hinds, Chair of ECSC added “Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative are delighted to once again work in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council to have achieved Solar Panel installations on 30 buildings in Edinburgh.

“The support from the Edinburgh community and beyond by investing in our Share Offer, shows their commitment to reduce the carbon footprint in Edinburgh. Waverley Court is the first building to be installed in the City Centre and will be a visible beacon for renewable energy in Edinburgh.”

ECSC have the possibility of adding more buildings to their portfolio later in the year which could result in a further share offer.

ECSC is supported and assisted by Energy4All Limited, the leading social enterprise in the UK for delivering community owned renewable energy schemes.

Energy4All projects have raised over £82 million to build and operate community renewable energy generation all over the UK.

For more information please visit www.energy4all.co.uk

Community Energy Hub for North Edinburgh?

Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative (ECSC) and North Edinburgh Arts (NEA) have agreed to support the creation of North Edinburgh Community Energy Hub, and want to invite you to an initial Zoom call with interested organisations to start this process.

The meeting will be held on Thursday (24^th September) at 6.30pm and the Zoom link to join is here:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9661004253

Meeting ID: 966 100 4253

ECSC is committed to helping Edinburgh become a net zero carbon city by 2030 but reduced funding and grant support for communities has meant that it is becoming increasingly difficult to raise awareness about the importance of reducing our carbon footprint, particularly in areas of high fuel poverty.

ECSC, in partnership with several key partners, believe that establishing a community energy hub in North Edinburgh and Leith, using buildings hosting ECSC solar panels as demonstrator sites, will increase neighbourhood awareness of renewable energy and encourage people to go ‘green’.

The establishment of a community renewable energy hub comprising a consortium of local community organisations. The Hub need not be a physical entity but could involve bringing together members of community groups across North Edinburgh & Leith which would form a knowledge base which groups or individuals could access for practical advice.

The ECSC Energy Plan paper is attached, with a link to Oxford Low Carbon Hub https://www.lowcarbonhub.org for information.

I hope you can join the meeting on the 24^th.

Yours sincerely

Kate Wimpress / Director

North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court, EH4 4TZ

Tel: 0131 315 2151 / Direct: 0131 315 6410

See below the list of organisations who have previously expressed an interest, or who want to find out more now: Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative

Edinburgh Leisure

Community Energy Scotland

Leith Crops in Pots

Muirhouse Housing Association

North Edinburgh Childcare

North Edinburgh Arts

Granton Walled Garden

Spartans Community Football Academy

Granton Information Centre

Changeworks

Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC)

Granton Hub

ECSC-Energy-Plan-Final Download

Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative to launch share offer

The installation of nearly 1MW of solar panels on at least six buildings in Edinburgh is planned by Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative (ECSC) as they return for Phase 2 in their quest to make Edinburgh a cleaner and greener city.

To do this ECSC proposes to raise up to £660,000 by the issue of £1 shares. The minimum investment will be £100 and priority will be given to local residents who reside in the EH postcode districts.

In 2015 ECSC successfully launched their first share offer which resulted in over £1.4 million being raised that funded the installation of nearly 1.4MW of solar power on 24 buildings owned by City of Edinburgh Council.

Today ECSC continues to generate solar power from these buildings and members receive share interest on their investment as projected with all surplus profits allocated to the Community Benefit Fund which came into operation in 2018.

Speaking of the imminent launch of the share offer, Lesley Hinds, Chair of ECSC said “ECSC is an ethical, community-based, social enterprise. We came together with a plan to help reduce carbon emissions, address Fuel Poverty and make renewable energy more commonplace in our city.

“We especially welcome smaller amounts, as we would like as many people to join ECSC as possible, which is why the minimum investment is as low as we can make it.

“Parents and grandparents can also apply for shares in ECSC for their children and grandchildren or can apply for shares on their behalf and leave them in their will”. Shares in ECSC are understood to be exempt from inheritance tax under present rules.

The share offer will be launched in Summer 2020 and you can register your interest at www.edinburgh.coop/register.

ECSC also has the option to install on 4 other Sites should grid connections and roof surveys permit later in the year.