Brixton Energy Solar 1: Six Months On

It has now been 6 months since the pioneering Brixton Energy Solar 1 project went live on Elmore House on the Loughborough Estate. A UK first, in that is was a community-owned solar system installed on social housing and also the first community-owned system in inner London according to Repowering South London director and chairman Andre Pinho.

Now that the model has been set, the hardest parts done, in effect, Brixton can look forward to more community energy projects and 'Solar 1' is the beacon that will light the way.

Becky Payne, the official secretary of Brixton Energy Solar 1 said, “This has been a great learning experience in all manner of ways and from here we can move on to install yet more panels on Brixton roofs. I for one will be making an investment and hopefully, not just in Brixton Energy Solar 1, but in Brixton Energy Solar 2, 3 & 4!”

The project has been a resounding success and Brixton Energy have shared their reflections on the totality of the benefits it has brought to the local community as well as investors and residents of the Loughborough Estate.

The Environment 14 tonnes a year of CO2 are to be saved by the Solar 1 installation. The renewable energy generated directly addresses fuel poverty in the flats they are sited on top of and the awareness that the project raises in the local area about energy efficiency and local energy production helps to change attitudes.

The Financial Benefits Creation of an ethical, green community investment vehicle means that people can put their money into something good and claim a return of 3% - competitive with rates in banks. The remainder of the Feed-in Tariff money provides for an ongoing Community Energy Efficiency Fund to support the delivery of local energy efficiency projects. The Loughborough Estate Management Board (LEMB) will also benefit from cost savings on their energy bills for the communal lifts of Elmore House through the sale of solar energy set at 20% below commercial rates. The cost savings will be passed on to residents of Elmore House through a nominal reduction on their service charge.

Additional Social Benefits As well as the aforementioned awareness raising, there is a lot of community cohesion that takes place surrounding an event like a share offer. It's the community getting together and taking ownership of something they previously had no control over. The mutual sense of hope and possibility this creates is not to be underestimated!

There is also a chance for training and upskilling of local residents. On the Solar 1 project an unemployed electrical engineer from the estate helped out with the installation as part of a two week work placement with Southern Solar.

Brixton Energy have just launched their second share offer. Solar 2 will also be installed on the Loughborough Estate - offering more renewable energy generation capacity and more money for the Community Energy Efficiency Fund to provide bill cutting measures for residents on the estate.