Work with us: high consuming sites, such as manufacturing businesses or universities

A private business or university may not have the money up front to purchase their own array of solar panels or another renewable technology, but by working with a community energy organisation they can still reach their climate targets at the same time as benefitting from using the cheaper, cleaner electricity onsite.

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Dundee Renewable Energy Society's Bullionfield Solar Meadow
Dundee Renewable Energy Society's Bullionfield Solar Meadow

How does it work?

The community energy group raises the money for the renewable technology through community investment. They install the technology on the host organisation's site at no cost to the host, the community energy group are then responsible for operating and maintaining the technology for an agreed duration (usually 20+ years).

The host pays the community energy group a fixed price, often well below market rate, for the electricity produced. This is known as a 'behind the meter' agreement. Any surplus energy is managed and sold by the community energy group.

Setting up a new community energy group

We are interested in hearing from organisations that are ambitious in scale.

In 2023 we worked with the James Hutton Institute, Scotland's leading agricultural researcher, whose land has now become home to Dundee Renewable Energy Society's 2.6 MW solar 'meadow' . The vast majority of the energy produced by the solar array is used by the Institute on their Invergowrie campus, and on sunny days this can cover 100% of their energy usage, a brilliant accomplishment for an energy-intensive facility.

Community energy for a university or research facility contributes to their climate goals and can lower their energy bills. There is also the chance to engage students, staff and researchers as members themselves.

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Pairing with an existing community energy group

Energy4All can look into pairing you with an existing community group. Co-ops like The Schools Energy Co-op and Energise South have installed solar arrays on businesses as well as council and community buildings. We look for sites that not only have a suitable design but can use a large portion of the energy produced themselves - this makes the model more financially viable. Businesses running heavy equipment in the day may easily meet this requirement and save money on their energy bills.

A bigger solar array is often better - if you're located on a business park, could you team up with your neighbours? Private wires can share energy between neighbouring buildings.

Explore Energy4All Solar Co-ops

Get in Touch

If you have a site that might be suitable, get in touch and you will be referred to the relevant Development Manager.

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