Pay less for your electricity with community owned solar pv

•Discounted, carbon-free electricity for 20 years•No need for capital expenditure•Wider integration into the local community

www.brightonenergy.org.uk [email protected]

PAY LESS FOR YOUR ELECTRICITY WITH COMMUNITY-OWNED SOLAR PV

BENEFITS TO YOUBrighton Energy Coop offers you substantial electricity savings without having to pay for your own solar kit. Instead we leaserooftops and install community-funded solar PV on your building. Our solar panels can save you thousands of pounds on yourelectricity bill for decades to come – and it won't cost you a penny.

Based in Brighton, we are funded by the local community: we have widespread local support and hundreds of Brighton and Hoveresidents have invested in us. Our members range from professionals to students, from retirees to vicars. In the last four yearswe’ve raised nearly £700,000 for solar PV installations in the Brighton area.

With energy prices rising it makes sense to look at cheaper electricity suppliers. At Brighton Energy Coop (BEC) we offer discountedelectricity from solar PV: a typical BEC price is 6.5p per unit, an approximate saving of 4.5p. We’re owned and run by the Brightoncommunity - last year we saved our existing landlords more than £9,000 on their electricity bills.

START SAVING 50% ON YOUR ELECTRICITY BILL

Green electricity is generated bysolar panels and supplied directlyto your building. During the dayyour electricity is supplied by thesolar installation.

Brighton Energy Coopretains the Feed in tariff

and payments for surplus electricity sentinto the national grid.


Case Study: City Coast ChurchIn June 2012 Brighton Energy Coop installed more than 100solar panels on City Coast Church in Portslade. Using themoney saved on their electricity bill the church has beenputting on various community events:

Manager Simon Lewis told the Shoreham Herald: “Whilethe cost savings and environmental benefits of hostingBEC’s solar panels are important, it’s the work the schemeallows us to do in the community that’s really valuable.

“At our annual carol service, not only did we put on freefood and drink for people, but we were able to raise moneyfor domestic abuse charity Rise on the night. This is justone example of how we are using our energy cost savingsfor the benefit of local people, and it’s this ripple effect thatBEC’s solar scheme has throughout the community thatmakes it such a worthwhile project to be involved with.”

Organisations that we currently work with in the Brighton area include Shoreham Port, St George's Church and City Coast Church.Shoreham Port were so keen on working with us that - a year later - they commissioned two more PV systems to supply them withmore cheap electricity.

IN 2014 OUR SOLAR LANDLORDSREDUCED THEIR ELECTRICITYSPEND BY AN AVERAGE OF 50%

ASK US FOR A QUOTE!Email [email protected] or visit our website and see howmuch your could save on your electricity bills


We lease roofspaces and then install community-funded solar panels. We sell the electricity that we generate to you at a discounted rate. There are no costs: we cover all technical, insurance and maintenance issues.

Step 5: OngoingYou'll start seeing a reduction on your electricity bill within 3 months. BECowns the solar PV and receives income through the Feed-in-tariff schemeand electricity sales.

Step 6: Operation and MaintenanceRevenue is used to pay interest to our members and our operationalcosts. Bi-annual maintenance is also carried out. Online montoring keepsa record of electricity generated and used.

HOW IT WORKS

Step 1: Site survey and lease agreementBEC surveys each site and works out solar potential. We then discusswith you how the electricity produced can reduce your electricity bill.

Step 2: Lease agreementBEC leases the roof space for 20 years

Step 3: FundingBEC regularly funds new solar PV installations via community share offers. In the last 4 years we've raised nearly £700,000 for new solar PV.

Step 4: InstallationInstallation usually takes 2-3 weeks.


What sort of roof space is required?Roofs need to be flat, or south, east or west-facing, and unshaded.

What will be the impact on the roof?During construction our contractors hold full insurance to cover any adverse impacts to our solar buildings. Our panels and equipment are also fully insured for the lifetime of the project.

Do solar panels affect the resale value of the building?Studies in the US have shown that solar PV can increase the resale value of residential properties. While there are no similar studies in the UK, we believe potential purchasers see reduced electricity bills as a positive factor.

Will it cost us anything?No. BEC covers the cost of all structural surveys, planning issues, installation, operation and maintenance.

Who owns the panels once they're installed?Brighton Energy Co-op.

What happens if BEC goes bust? If BEC were to fail its solar panels would be sold; this is unlikely to affect the landlord and their solar electricity supply. BEC holdslittle debt and has a strong balance sheet.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ABOUT BRIGHTON ENERGY COOPBrighton Energy Coop is the largest solar PV developer in Brighton and Hove. We raisemoney by selling shares in the co-op; members receive a 5% return as well as a 30% taxbreak on the amount invested.

BEC Milestones:2011 - Raised £18,000 from six Brighton investors to develop concept.2012 - 150 people invest £240,000; BEC installs 1st solar project across three sites. 2013 - Added a further £225,000 of solar to our renewables portfolio.2014 – Amidst two ministerial visits we raised a further £220,000 for a new solar array atShoreham Port.


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Pay less for your electricity with community owned solar pv