Brighton Energy Cooperative launches one of the UK’s largest community-owned, solar energy schemes

Brighton Energy Co-operative is to launch a pioneering project that will generate community-owned green power in Brighton & Hove and fund local projects to help people reduce their energy bills.

From 2 November, Brighton Energy Co-operative will be launching a share offer to raise up to £500,000 for its first solar energy scheme — making it one of the largest community-owned energy initiatives in the UK.

People will be able to buy shares in Brighton Energy Co-operative, entitling them to a stake in the project. The money raised will be used to fund the purchase and installation of three solar arrays on the roofs of Shoreham Port, St Georges Church (Kemptown) and City Coast Church (Portslade) — collectively, equivalent to the size of one football pitch. Brighton Energy Co-operative is also in discussions with owners of other sites for additional arrays.

The combined arrays will generate 120kW over their lifetime (25 years) — enough to power 40 homes and save 1,085 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Brighton Energy Co-operative will receive an income from the electricity generated from the feed-in-tariff, a Government-backed subsidy that’s guaranteed for 25 years. This will be used to pay a targeted 4%* annual interest to investors and fund community projects, such as insulating homes to make them more energy efficient.

To promote the launch, a series of high-profile events is planned in November. These will include talks by solar pioneer Jeremy Leggett and Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas, and a screening of the film Gasland.

Brighton Energy Co-operative’s chairman Will Cottrell, said: “We are delighted to be able to bring this offer to Brighton & Hove residents. It’s a great opportunity for local people to get involved in and own a renewable energy scheme in the city. By supporting the generation of clean energy, they are helping Brighton & Hove reduce its reliance on polluting fossil fuels, lower its carbon dioxide emissions and become one of the country’s greenest cities.”

The launch offer will run from 2 November and the launch event will take place at The Friends House, Ship Street in Brighton on 2 November at 19.00-21.30.

Interested parties can make a pledge to buy shares before the launch on the BEC website: www.brightonenergy.org.uk.

For more information, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone Will Cottrell on 07789 646871.

* Brighton Energy Co-op anticipates that interest will be payable from year 3 of operation and for the subsequent 22 years.

Details of Exhibitors

We've just about finalised the list of exhibitors at the Eco Fair ... here's what our exhibitors have to say for themselves:

ArborEaters

Arbor Eater Brushwood Chippers Ltd is a family run business supplying log splitters, Saw benches, Woodchippers, green waste shredders and screeners for woodchip and compost. We are able to provide equipment and offer advice on producing your own carbon neutral wood fuel, woodchip as a biomass fuel and composting. http://www.arboreaters.co.uk/

Bioenergy Technology Ltd

Bioenergy Technology Ltd. are Microgeneration (No. MCS 1297) approved for the supply and installation of biomass boilers. The company is committed to the development of the UK energy efficient, low carbon heating market. Our team has worked successfully on some of the first carbon neutral biomass, boiler and low carbon heating projects in the UK. Bioenergy Technology are specialists in log and pellet boilers, woodchip and combination boilers with storage and transport solutions and log and wood pellet stoves Products range from 3kW to 6MW for space heating, process or combined heat and power. www.bioenergy.org

Brighton Energy Cooperative

Brighton Energy Co-operative is a community organisation to help local people invest in green energy schemes. “Investors” buy shares in the coop and this money is used to buy and install green energy technologies. When these start producing electricity, Brighton Energy Co-operative receives an income which is split between Brighton Energy Co-operative investors and low-carbon community projects in Brighton. Brighton Energy Co-operative has recently secured three sites for its solar panels at Shoreham Port, St Georges Church and City Coast Church. The combined solar arrays will generate 120kW over their lifetime - enough to power 40 homes and save 1,085 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

If you would like to support this exciting green energy opportunity in Brighton & Hove, please make a pledge (non-binding) to buy shares at http://www.brightonenergy.org.uk/pledge-your-support-to-brighton-energy-co-op/. Then come along to our launch event on 2 November, where you can hear more about our exciting solar energy scheme, and buy shares.

Downs Energy

From our Burgess Hill offices Downs Energy install cavity wall, solid wall and loft insulation to homes throughout Sussex. Insulation is free to the over 70s and those in receipt of certain benefits and otherwise a typical price is just £189. There is no need to go to your energy supplier, Downs Energy can manage the whole process to achieve the energy savings that only good insulation can provide. Insulation is the low hanging fruit in respect of energy efficiency and should be installed before other more extensive technologies. Downs Energy – 01444 for a free no obligation home survey. http://www.downsenergy.co.uk/

Eco-eye

The Eco-eye range of wireless electricity monitors are the brainchild of local businessman Trevor Pumphrey, director of the Modern Moulds Group based in Lancing, West Sussex. With more that 30 years experience in the mould tooling and plastics industry, the company diversified three years ago with the openeing of the Eco-eye division. Eco-eye has steadily taken off both in the UK and abroad, receiving many favourable reviews, with the Eco-eye Elite recently being awarded Best Buy status by Which? Magazine. The company offers several models of electricty monitor suitable for both domestic and commercial use, from the original simple to use Eco-eye Elite and Mini to the latest and most advanced Eco-eye Smart which offers computer connectivity. For up to date information on Eco-eye products go to www.eco-eye.com

ICA Electrical Contractors

ICA Electrical Contractors are a family run company based in Horsham, West Sussex. We are MCS registered installers of Solar PV systems offering you a full design and installation service for Solar PV. We are fully approved NICEIC electrical contractors and a member of the Renewable Energy Assurance Scheme. We adhere to a consumer code of excellence and are audited annually to ensure that we meet all regulations and guidelines. This gives you peace of mind that all work will be undertaken in a professional and efficient manner. For further information please visit our website www.icaelectrical.com or call 01403 242770

Mould Growth Consultants

MGC will be exhibiting Sempatap Thermal, insulation for solid wall homes, which is as easy as wallpaper to apply and can be installed on a DIY basis. It is approved by the Energy Saving Trust as an energy saving product and is an EST ‘Recommended’ material for the insulation of solid wall homes. Sempatap Thermal immediately reduces heat loss through solid walls providing warm, comfortable homes as well as reducing heating bills. We will also have on the stand Sempatherm Radiator Insulation Panels and Sempaflue Chimney Balloons. Literature and free Sempatap Application DVD available on the stand. www.mgcltd.co.uk

Solar Advanced Systems

Go green, make money, go solar. We supply and install Solar PV systems which will generate your own electricity. You get paid by your electricity supplier for every kW hour you produce. This is a government backed scheme which is index linked and guaranteed for 25 years which will give you up to 15% return on your investment and which is tax free. We have a 5-star rating with Which? Local and a very high rating with Checkatrade. Find out more at www.solaradvancedsystems.co.uk.

Sussex Solar

We install Solar water heating (thermal) and Solar electric (photovoltaic) systems in Sussex and Surrey. We are fully accredited MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) installers for both technologies. You will be eligible for the PV Feed-in Tariff payments and the proposed Renewable Heat Incentive for solar water heating systems. We are members of the Solar Trade Association and the REAL assurance scheme. This means we abide by a professional code of ethics and you are covered by a free insurance backed deposit guarantee scheme. www.sussexsolar.com

Sustainables4U

Sustainables4U provides cost effective, renewable energy solutions through the supply, maintenance and installation of five areas of renewable energy services:

• Solar UV
• Solar PV
• Energy Saving Devices
• Rainwater Harvesting
• LED Lighting

www.sustainables4u.co.uk

Horsham District Council

Horsham District Council will have an information stand at the Eco Fair

The Environment Centre