Solar panels to be put on well-known Bristol community buildings
A COMMUNITY-owned energy company is being launched in Bristol to generate "green" electricity by using solar panels on two well-known buildings in the city.
The Bristol Energy Co-op is launching an £87,800 share offer which will give investors a projected annual return of four per cent.
The money will be used to buy solar panels which will be installed on two community buildings – Hamilton House in Stokes Croft and Knowle West Media Centre in Leinster Avenue.
The aim is to buy a total of 167 panels which will provide more than 30,000kWh of electricity per year – enough to power six average-size houses.
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Mark Corbin of the Co-op said: "A number of community groups across the city were looking at forming energy co-ops so we pooled our skills and resources, and this is the result.
"We'll be growing Greater Bristol's local green energy supply and making the benefits of green energy open to all.
"In this first phase of the project, we're installing solar panels onto the roofs of community buildings in the Bristol area.
"The Co-op receives a guaranteed 25-year 'Feed-in Tariff' income from the Government for the electricity – no matter who uses it.
"We distribute that income back to our investors, and use any surplus to invest in further energy projects in the area.
"Our share offer gives everyone the chance to be a part of the renewable revolution, whether they own a roof or not. You can invest anything from £50 to £20,000.
"This is an ethical investment, with clear financial, environmental and social returns.
"Investors receive a projected four per cent annual return on their investment, the Co-op increases renewable energy generation in the city, and community buildings benefit from green energy at reduced prices.
"Whether you've put in £50 or £20,000, you get an equal say on how we run things, and what we do next.
"We'll also create business for the local energy firms we contract to install the panels. This is a win-win venture for Bristol."
Lord Mayor Geoff Gollop will be attending a launch event at Hamilton House in Stokes Croft on Wednesday where he will see some of the panels and be told more about the share offer.
A further share offer launch event takes place on Thursday at 7.30pm, also at Hamilton House, as part of the Bristol Energy Network meeting – visit the website www.bristolenergy network.org.
The Co-op is endorsed and supported by Bristol City Council, Bristol Green Capital Momentum group, the Centre for Sustainable Energy, and Buro Happold.
Hamilton House is a vibrant community hub "where art, music, enterprise and innovation cluster as a community rising to the challenges of today and tomorrow".
Knowle West Media Centre is based in South Bristol and supports individuals and communities to get the most out of digital technologies, music, media and the arts.
For more information about the share offer, which is open until May 18, visit the website www.bristolenergy.coop.
Comments
by YourLakeshore
Thursday, April 19 2012, 3:42PM
“This is a really worthwhile initiative and it is certainly a great investment to give back to the community and environment. It also illustrates Bristol being green - which is great since it has been nominated for the 2012 European Green Capital. Hope there are more opportunities to be green - at Lakeshore we have special geothermal technology and our water is virtually 100% renewable.”
by John_Name
Monday, April 16 2012, 1:42PM
“'Investors receive a projected four per cent annual return on their investment'
Stokes Croft anarchists going capitalist. At last!”
by dungbob
Monday, April 16 2012, 12:39PM
“@lolly60 - are you telling me a nuclear reactor, complete with it's radioactive waste which we still cannot dispose of safely, is more beautiful to look at than a solar panel stuck on a roof? And don't tell me you have a low carbon footprint, not if you're also sat commenting on BEP articles. We're all guilty of it.
Imagine if every roof had a few panels in Bristol; would it be possible that Bristol could generate it's own electricity completely? In the daytime that is...”
by vrtsl36l
Monday, April 16 2012, 11:57AM
“Knowle West & Stoke's Croft? Better guard them well!”
by Oddly
Monday, April 16 2012, 11:24AM
“They may look ugly - but as even reading a book (ie kindle) now requires an electrical socket, we have to accept that we cant have unlimited power without some compromise.
If solar panels reduce the need for Atomic Power Plants, I'm quite happy to look at them.”
by winford
Monday, April 16 2012, 11:06AM
“I wonder how many householders check out insurance / repair / removal cover. Some insurance comanies wont insure your roof for repairs and also some solar companies will charge the householder if ever the householder wants them removed - doesnt come cheap either.
And, in some case, the only free electricity that can be used must be used duting day time hours - fine if you are home all day to do washing etc.”
by Big_Gregory
Monday, April 16 2012, 10:40AM
“Horrible looking things - funny how so many planning applications for minor household alterations have been declined over the years but now anyone can stick these ugly things on their roofs.
Probably won't look as ugly on high and commercial buildings. Hopefully in the future they will be developed to blend in a bit more rather than the current eyesores that they are.”
by lolly60
Monday, April 16 2012, 10:25AM
“They look ugly stuck on top of buildings”