Welcome to Reading Community Energy Society (RCES)

Our mission is to accelerate the uptake of community-owned renewable energy in Reading and surrounds.

We own and operate 23 solar PV systems on roofs in and around Reading, with a combined capacity of over 600 kWp energy – enough to power the equivalent of 146 homes each year!

Our installations are funded through community share offers, enabling individuals and local organisations to support and benefit from our scheme. Since 2016, we have raised almost £600,000 – demonstrating the support and commitment for delivering renewable energy locally.

A big Thank You to everyone who helped us reach the full £97,000 target in our most recent share offer which closed in February 2024.

We will be launching a new share offer soon: a huge array of solar panels on the roof of the Reading Buses depot on Great Knollys Street. Register your interest here to be first in the know about this exciting offer.

As a Community Benefit Society, any profits that we make after paying reasonable returns to our investors are ring-fenced to support wider sustainability initiatives locally. See further details on our grant scheme here.

We have further installation opportunities under discussion and are always on the lookout for new sites, so do get in touch with us if you would like to have an informal, no obligation discussion.

Visit our Gallery to see a collection of images of our existing installations, which include the Central Reading Library, Just Around the Corner charity headquarters, the Milestone Centre, Lifespring Church, Reading Community Church, St Birinus Church and Acre Road Business Park.