As part of its ongoing commitment to addressing climate change, the Council has worked with Bath & West Community Energy (BWCE) to install solar panels on their One Stop Shop.
Photo courtesy of Bath & West Community Energy (BWCE)
The panels will be owned and operated by BWCE, an award-winning not-for-profit social enterprise.
BWCE invests their surplus profits into the BWCE Community Fund which awards grants for future low carbon projects. BWCE is wholly owned by its members, 90% of whom live locally.
Cllr Paul Crossley (Lib-Dem, Southdown), Leader of Council, said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council is proud to be working with BWCE on this project.
“Community-owned renewable energy is a win-win opportunity; providing environmental benefits whilst ensuring that revenues stay within the local economy.”
The panels will have a 38kW generating capacity and save the equivalent of around 16 tonnes of CO2 per year. They will also provide lower cost electricity to the Council.
Peter Capener, Chair of BWCE, said: “We are really pleased to have worked with the Council on this project.
“As well as providing reasonable returns for local shareholders and lower bills for the Council, some of the revenues from these panels will go into our newly-established Community Fund.
“The fund already has over £20,000 in it and will be inviting bids for grants later on this year. More details of the community fund and our latest share offer can be found on our website www.bwce.coop.”
