SOLAR COMMUNITIES

BODMIN RUGBY CLUB

Local rugby club wins with ‘conversion’ of sun to electricity

Bodmin Rugby Club is a small club located just off the A30 in mid-Cornwall. The club is supported by the RFU but largely relies on fundraising to allow numerous local adults and children to play rugby and even travel around the country and abroad on rugby tours.

As a small club, it’s important their energy bills are kept as small as possible to ensure that the majority of their funds are available to support the players.

Club Treasurer Andy Richards found out about Solar Communities online, and leapt at the chance for his club to start producing their own free electricity.

In March 2012, Clean Earth Energy installed a 10kW solar PV system onto the roof of the club through Community Energy Plus’s Solar Communities scheme.

Andy said:

“Now that the panels have been in-

stalled, we’re looking forward to seeing a

saving on our electricity bills. As a small

club, any saving will make a huge differ-

ence, and next year we’ll really be able to

see the benefits of having the panels.”

Cornwall’s Independent Energy Experts

Community Energy Plus is a charity and social enterprise

providing services to help householders, businesses and

communities in Cornwall enjoy warmer, more energy

efficient homes, including:

• Insulation and heating solutions

• Energy efficiency advice and surveys

• Planning for renewables services

• Condensation and mould services

• Help to understand and reduce energy bills

Solar Communities was developed by Community

Energy Plus to provide organisations with the

opportunity to benefit from free green electricity.

SIZE OF SOLAR ARRAY: 10 kW

ESTIMATED INSTALL COST AT

MARCH 2012: £17,000

ESTIMATED ELECTRICITY

GENERATION PER ANNUM:

11,000 kWh

ESTIMATED SAVINGS PER

ANNUM*: £1,540

ESTIMATED CO2e SAVINGS PER

ANNUM: 6 tonnes

* If all electricity generated is used

From l-r: Andy Richards, Treasurer of

Bodmin Rugby Club, Neil Farrington of

Community Energy Plus and Josh Bower

of Clean Earth Energy.

0800 954 1956 www.cep.org.uk enquiries@cep.org.uk

SOLAR COMMUNITIES

NATIONAL L

OBSTER HATCHERY

Lobsters bask in solar-powered hatchery

The National Lobster Hatchery in Padstow is able to use solar power to

grow its lobsters after having a 9.5 kW solar array installed through

Solar Communities.

The Hatchery, a charity and social enterprise, was launched to protect

the vulnerable lobster populations and preserve the coastal marine

bio-diversity of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

The installers, Plug Into The Sun, were able to maximise the whole

roof, installing on the South, West and East facing sides to ensure that

the Hatchery is able to generate as much of their own electricity as

possible.

General Manager, Dominic Boothroyd, said:

“Since installation in the spring the panels have

performed well, reducing our energy bills by

approximately 10%. This combined with an

approximately 10% reduction in energy

requirements through raised awareness amongst

the staff and volunteers has made a significant

difference to our carbon footprint and have

reduced our carbon emissions by approximately 6

tonnes.

I have had lots of favourable comments from

members of the public and local people alike

about the appearance of the panels and I think

they enhance the appearance of the building.”

Solar Communities was developed by Community

Energy Plus to provide organisations with the

opportunity to benefit from free green electricity.

SIZE OF SOLAR ARRAY: 9.5 kW

ESTIMATED INSTALL COST AT

MARCH 2012: £15,000

ESTIMATED ELECTRICITY

GENERATION PER ANNUM: 8,000

kWh

ESTIMATED SAVINGS PER

ANNUM*: £1,230

ESTIMATED CO2e SAVINGS PER

ANNUM: 4.5 tonnes

* If all electricity generated is used

From l-r: Andy Tanner of Plug Into The Sun,

Dominic Boothroyd of The National Lobster

Hatchery, Rob Pickering of Community

Energy Plus

0800 954 1956 www.cep.org.uk enquiries@cep.org.uk

Cornwall’s Independent Energy Experts

Community Energy Plus is a charity and social enterprise

providing services to help householders, businesses and

communities in Cornwall enjoy warmer, more energy

efficient homes, including:

• Insulation and heating solutions

• Energy efficiency advice and surveys

• Planning for renewables services

• Condensation and mould services

• Help to understand and reduce energy bills

SOLAR COMMUNITIES

ST AGNES SU

RGERY

Surgery keeps costs down using the sun

St Agnes GP surgery on the picturesque Cornish coast has enhanced its environmental credentials with the addition of a 10 kW solar array through Community Energy Plus’s Solar Communities programme.

The surgery have always been proactive about sustainable working practices, looking for ways to reduce their environmental impacts whilst maintaining a high level of service to their patients. They had looked at installing solar panels in the past, but the high costs involved meant it wasn’t a feasible option.

Practice Manager Liz Thierens found out about the scheme via email and the decision to sign up was a ’no-brainer’ for the surgery.

In March 2012, Clean Earth Energy installed a 10kW solar PV system on the roof.

Liz said:

"The surgery is always looking at ways we can improve our service and be

more efficient, and having the solar panels fits in with our efforts to reduce

our carbon footprint at the same

time. Solar Communities was great

because the solar panels were installed

at no cost and we're seeing the

financial and environmental benefits of

them. It is a long-term solution and the

whole process was carried out

efficiently and without any disruption.

Cornwall’s Independent Energy Experts

Community Energy Plus is a charity and social enterprise

providing services to help householders, businesses and

communities in Cornwall enjoy warmer, more energy

efficient homes, including:

• Insulation and heating solutions

• Energy efficiency advice and surveys

• Planning for renewables services

• Condensation and mould services

• Help to understand and reduce energy bills

Solar Communities was developed by Community

Energy Plus to provide organisations with the

opportunity to benefit from free green electricity.

SIZE OF SOLAR ARRAY: 10 kW

ESTIMATED INSTALL COST AT

MARCH 2012: £17,000

ESTIMATED ELECTRICITY

GENERATION PER ANNUM:

11,000 kWh

ESTIMATED SAVINGS PER

ANNUM*: £1,540

ESTIMATED CO2e SAVINGS PER

ANNUM: 6 tonnes

* If all electricity generated is used

From l-r: Liz Thierens of St Agnes Sur-

gery, Rob Pickering of Community En-

ergy Plus

0800 954 1956 www.cep.org.uk enquiries@cep.org.uk