solar panels – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Edinburgh locals invited to invest in community-owned solar panels across the capital

Photography from: Colin Hattersley Photography –

Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative has just launched a new share offer campaign to raise £1.13 million to install solar panels on public and community buildings in the city: generating clean electricity, keeping profits local, and giving everyone a chance to benefit from renewables.

The initiative will fund the installation of solar panels on 10 rooftop locations across Edinburgh, including the iconic Royal Commonwealth Pool and five schools.

Edinburgh residents are invited to become members of the co-operative by investing in the scheme, with a projected annual interest rate of 5%. Investments can be from as little as £25, with the aim of making membership accessible to as many residents as possible.

Edinburgh Community Solar Co-op launched in 2015 and has already installed solar PV on 30 sites across the city, including the Council offices at Waverley Court, 17 schools and multiple leisure centres.

The co-op’s existing solar sites are estimated to have already saved more than 2,000 tonnes of CO₂, as well as saving the council almost £850,000 on their energy bills by paying less for the electricity generated.

The organisation gives some of its profit each year to local charitable groups via the co-operative’s community benefit fund: so far more than £100,000 has been distributed to support youth projects, community groups, schools, parks and green spaces across Edinburgh.

Vicki Taylor, Chair of Edinburgh Community Solar Co-op, said: “This is an exciting next phase for our co-op, putting hundreds of community-owned solar panels on even more buildings across the city. Every installation generates more clean, green energy and helps reduce Edinburgh’s carbon emissions.

“Investing in Edinburgh Community Solar Co-op means keeping wealth in Edinburgh – generating returns that stay local and help fund community projects, rather than profits flowing elsewhere. It gives local people the opportunity to invest in something they care about, making community investment accessible to everyone.”

Council Leader, Jane Meagher, said: “Since its launch the Edinburgh Community Solar Co-op has made savings in both energy costs and carbon emissions as well as giving back to valuable community projects.

“I’m delighted that the Council continues to be closely involved with the scheme, with solar panels set for more of our buildings, and I’d encourage anyone with an interest to take part themselves through the latest share offer.”

Edinburgh Community Solar Co-op has received funding from CARES, the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme, to develop the share offer. The scheme is also supported by Energy4All and DTAS’ Democratic Finance Scotland programme. Both organisations are working in partnership to help community-led organisations to use alternative methods of raising local finance to capture wealth locally.

You can find out more and apply to join the co-operative on Edinburgh Community Solar Co-op’s website at www.edinburghsolar.coop

Light Up Our Home!

Fundraiser brightens future for Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home

Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home has successfully installed 21 solar panels at its seaside cattery, marking a major milestone in its journey towards cutting costs, ensuring for a more sustainable future and even higher animal welfare standards.

The community backed crowdfunder was supported by 329 generous donors who helped raise £14,687 as part of the “Light up Our Home” campaign.

The newly installed solar panels, powering electricity for the cattery and clinic, are already helping to reduce the shelter’s environmental impact and are expected to save the Home over £2,600 each year on electricity bills.

These savings will go directly back into caring for the hundreds of animals and families supported by the Home each year.

In addition to generating clean, green energy, the panels also serve a unique welfare purpose offering the cats a safer and more comfortable play area with protection from falling bird droppings, which can carry giardia, a highly infectious parasite.

Lynsey McGreavey, Facilities Manager at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home said; “Rising energy prices have been one of the Home’s most pressing challenges in recent years. This milestone simply wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible generosity of the public, from Edinburgh and beyond.

“In these difficult times, every single donation, whether big or small, helps turn our vision into reality. This fundraiser has not only helped us take a big step towards becoming more ego conscious but has made a direct impact on the safety and wellbeing of the animals in our care.”

Learn more about the Light Up Our Home campaign, visit edch.org.uk/articles/light-up-our-home

Brown-Forman and YLEM Energy welcome Alex Cole-Hamilton

MSP visits spirits bond to mark new solar array going live

Member of the Scottish Parliament and Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Alex Cole-Hamilton, has visited the global spirits and wine manufacturer Brown-Forman’s Newbridge Bond in his Edinburgh Western constituency as a new solar array goes live this year.

In the first project between YLEM Energy and Brown-Forman, the producer of brands such as Jack Daniel’s and Benriach, a 620kW solar array was developed to deliver 502,117 KWp of clean energy each year at the Newbridge Bond, Edinburgh. This is a part of Brown-Forman’s objective to source 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

On 29th January, Mr Cole Hamilton visited the site to meet some of the team members and to hear from YLEM Energy and Brown-Forman on the benefits of onsite energy generation for energy-intensive businesses, such as bottling and storage facilities.

Mr Cole Hamilton said: “I am delighted to see businesses taking initiative in advancing sustainability agendas and working towards tackling climate change directly by reducing their emissions.

“The boost for skilled employment and increased investment in the area has my full support and I look forward to hearing the progress that this partnership will bring.”

The 630kWp solar system is also part of YLEM Energy’s Xchange product that was launched in April 2023 and will allow Brown-Forman to export excess renewable energy generated at the Newbridge Bond to the National Grid and reduce its onsite energy costs. Brown-Forman are also exploring the potential to work with YLEM Energy to identify energy efficiency measures onsite to make its operations as sustainable as possible.

Kieran McGuire, European Environment Health and Safety Manager at Brown-Forman said: “It is encouraging to have Mr Cole Hamilton visit our site in Newbridge as the solar array enters use to generate renewable electricity.

“At Brown-Forman, we are committed to our goal of sourcing 100 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and this solar installation is a great step towards meeting that goal.”

Sophie Lamb, Head of Solar at YLEM Energy said: “I was delighted to have the opportunity to relay first hand to Mr Cole Hamilton the benefits of onsite renewable energy generation, with the Newbridge Bond being a great example.

“I’m looking forward to being able to report back on the carbon reductions that our installation at Newbridge Bond will achieve.”

To find out more about YLEM Energy visit www.YLEMEnergy.com.

To find out more about Brown-Forman’s sustainability strategy and goals visit:

www.brown-forman.com/environmental-sustainability.

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.