Another Knockout Year for Our Society

It’s been a brilliant year for solar generation and shareholder returns at Reading Community Energy Society.

Sunny weather meant that overall the society’s solar installations generated more power this summer than last. Top of the charts was the array on Reading University’s School of Art building which had a 10% higher output from April – August 2025 than the same period in 2024.

Local shareholders also had a good year with returns of between 4-7% depending on which installations they funded.

Investors fund the solar arrays that the society buys and operates at sites across Reading, and excess returns are invested into Reading Community Energy Society’s grant scheme. 

This year the grant supported a sustainability project at Green Ways community group in Caversham, where volunteers run a free shop that reduces waste and supports local people. 

All these successes, and more, were celebrated at the society’s recent Annual General Meeting (AGM), which brought together members and volunteers to reflect on the past year. Attendees also heard about some exciting future installation opportunities, and novel ways for the society to target local buildings with the greatest potential for solar generation using a data driven approach currently under development. 

Reading Community Energy Society’s 2025 AGM

Reading Buses CEO, Robert Williams, attended the AGM and gave an interesting and informative presentation about the company’s upcoming plans to electrify many of the Reading Buses fleet. Members also learned more about the part that Reading Community Energy Society will play in a solar array to be installed on the Reading Buses depot.

There was also time to reflect on improvements to the society including recruiting more volunteers and board members. Interested parties should get in touch.