Are there different types of community solar programmes available?

Yes, there are different types of community solar programmes available in the UK, designed to make solar power accessible, affordable, and beneficial for homeowners, small business owners, and the wider community. Understanding these types helps UK residents and businesses participate in renewable energy even if they cannot install solar panels on their own properties.

Main Types of Community Solar Programmes

1. Rooftop Community Solar Projects

These involve installing solar panels on roofs of community buildings such as schools, sports centres, village halls, and care homes. The electricity generated is shared locally or fed into the grid, with the benefits distributed among participants. This model is very common in the UK and has been led by organisations like Joju Solar, which has installed hundreds of rooftop community solar projects across the country.

• Example: The Leominster Community Solar initiative installed solar arrays on a sports centre roof.
• Benefits: Uses existing roof space, avoids land use issues, benefits local facilities.
• Who can join: Local residents, businesses, and community groups who invest or participate.

2. Community Solar Farms

These are larger, ground-mounted solar arrays owned collectively by a community group or cooperative. Members invest in the project through share offers or green bonds and receive electricity credits or financial returns in proportion to their investment.

• Example: Westmill Solar Park in Wiltshire, one of the UK's first and largest community solar farms (5 MW capacity), provides power to local homes and businesses.
• Recent Developments: In 2023, several large solar farms like the Kent Community Energy solar farm (5 MW) and Creacombe solar farm (4.4 MW) were brought under community ownership, showing increased community involvement in larger renewable projects.

3. Investment and Cooperative Ownership Models

Community members typically invest in community solar through:

• Community Share Offers: Investors become co-owners and receive dividends from surplus revenue.
• Green Bonds: Provide funding with interest returns, backed by the community solar asset.
• These models give local people and businesses a stake in renewable energy while helping fund installation and maintenance.

4. Virtual or Subscription-Based Community Solar

Though less widespread, some schemes allow participants to buy or subscribe to a portion of a solar project remotely, receiving credits on their electricity bills equivalent to the power generated by their share. This is ideal for those without suitable roofs or who rent properties.

Practical Advice for UK Homeowners and Small Business Owners

• Assess your eligibility: Check if there is an existing community solar group in your area or if a new project is planned that you can join.
• Understand the commitment: Investment models require upfront contributions; understand the terms, potential returns, and risks.
• Consider energy needs: Match your energy consumption to the scheme’s output to maximise savings or benefits.
• Watch for local government support: The UK government and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero have committed funding (e.g., £10 million in 2023) to support community energy projects.
• Engage with trusted organisations: Work with established community energy providers like Joju Solar or BHESCo to ensure reliable project development and management.

Key Pros and Cons of Community Solar Programmes

Pros	Cons
Access to solar power without installing panels at home	Upfront investment or subscription fees required
Shared benefits reduce individual costs	Potential variability in returns or savings due to weather or grid conditions
Supports local economy and energy resilience	Participation may be limited by location or project availability
Helps meet UK clean energy and net-zero goals	Complexity in understanding schemes and legal aspects

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not researching the scheme thoroughly: Understand the financial, legal, and operational details before joining.
• Ignoring maintenance and operational risks: Community solar farms require upkeep; verify who manages this.
• Overestimating individual savings: Community solar benefits are shared; individual gains may be smaller than expected.
• Missing local opportunities: Always check local councils’ community energy initiatives as some areas actively promote such projects.

Community solar programmes in the UK offer paths for homeowners and small business owners to participate in renewable energy, whether through small rooftop projects or large-scale shared solar farms. Choosing the right type of programme helps participants enjoy cleaner energy, reduce electricity costs, and contribute to local sustainability.