Huge Community Energy Project Launched in Central Reading
Reading town centre is set to receive its biggest renewable energy upgrade yet with the installation of a whopping 609 community-owned solar panels in Great Knolly’s Street.
The scheme, spearheaded by Reading Community Energy Society, will also give residents the chance to invest in Reading’s clean energy transition by becoming shareholders in the project.
The panels will be added to the roof of the Reading Buses Depot Building to supply local renewable electricity to the building and beyond.
When complete, the depot will be the biggest solar power plant in Reading town centre , and is predicted to generate enough energy to power the equivalent of around 80 homes .
Excess electricity will be sold to the National Grid, with income from this and the bus depot used to maintain the scheme, pay dividends, fund community sustainability projects and gradually repay shareholders.
Tony Cowling, Chair of Reading Community Energy Society, said; “Community energy offers broad-ranging benefits. It reduces imported energy use and costs for both the host buildings and Reading as a whole, enables members to support local sustainability initiatives for a reasonable return, and supports wider sustainability initiatives locally.”
Reading Community Energy Society supports local sustainability initiatives through community grant funding. To date, they have given over £15,000 to support schools, youth groups and other community initiatives including energy-saving schemes, food-growing projects and educational workshops.
This latest £207,000 solar scheme is a collaboration between Reading Borough Council, Reading Buses and Reading Community Energy Society and is part of a growing number of decarbonisation projects across the town.
Reading Community Energy Society have been installing community solar in the area for over a decade and operates 23 different sites across the town including on the roofs of council, university and community buildings.
You can apply to become a member of Reading Community Energy Society by following the link here: Phase 4 Share Offer – Reading Community Energy Society
For more information:
info@readingenergy.coop
0845 3733 612
