The Council will work in partnership with the Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative (ECSC) – supported by Energy4All – to deliver the initiative, which is believed to be the largest community-owned urban renewable energy project in the UK. Public buildings such as schools, leisure and community centres will be chosen to host the solar technology, which is expected to deliver significant environmental and social benefits.
The energy generated by the installations will help to make future cost savings while reducing the capital’s carbon emissions by an estimated 855 tonnes a year. Buildings that are chosen to participate will benefit from cheaper electricity from the solar panels, resulting in substantial savings. Any surplus energy will be sold to the National Grid and profits made by the project will be reinvested locally through a newly-created Community Benefit Fund.
Vice Convener of Transport and Environment, Councillor Adam McVey, said: “This is fantastic news for Edinburgh and will bring long term environmental, social and economic benefits.
“Community energy co-operatives allow local people to play a part in building a greener, more sustainable environment whilst raising awareness more generally about the importance of being energy efficient.
“We are aiming to meet our target of reducing Edinburgh’s carbon emissions by 42% by 2020 and this project is an important step towards us achieving this.”
Shares will be offered to organisations or individuals who want to invest in the initiative, with priority allocation given to Edinburgh residents. Anyone interested in becoming members of the Co-op can register their interest via the ECSC’s website.
Members of the Co-op will receive annual interest on their investment (capped at five percent increasing with RPI), with any surplus profit invested in the Community Benefit fund.
The panels will also be a useful resource for educational projects to help engage pupils with environmental themes such as renewable energy. Each device will come with a real-time display of electricity generation which will be displayed on the buildings and accessible to pupils online.
Dr Richard Dixon, Chair of the ECSC, said: “2015 is an important year for climate change, with the world’s nations supposed to agree new global targets in Paris at the end of the year. Around the world local people are creating their own solutions to climate change by investing in local renewable energy schemes.
“The Edinburgh scheme is a winner all round because it will reduce climate emissions and provide cheap energy for schools and other Council buildings. Local people will also get a decent return on any money they choose to invest.”
Work is currently underway to identify suitable sites for the solar panels and the chosen locations will be announced at a later date.
Notes to Editors
1. Edinburgh City Council Press Release http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/1848/the_futures_bright_for_community-owned_solar_project
2. Edinburgh Community Solar Co-Operative http://www.edinburghsolar.coop
3. Energy 4 All http://energy4all.co.uk
4. YouTube video about the project, Community Power: Edinburgh Community Solar Co-Operative
5. Dr Richard Dixon is Director of Friends of the Earth Scotland.
This website has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union and the Scottish Government. The sole responsibility for the content of this site lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union or the Scottish Government. EASME, the European Commission and the Scottish Government are not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
Friends of the Earth Scotland’s work to bring power to the people is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
