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Let's go solar: How communities make energy together | Let's go solar: How communities make energy together |
(2 days later) | |
Sizzling temperatures across the UK make most of us think of barbecues, swimming or sun-tan lotion. | Sizzling temperatures across the UK make most of us think of barbecues, swimming or sun-tan lotion. |
But in part of south London, the thoughts of Agamemnon Otero are on the kilowatt hours being generated on local rooftops. | |
"It's a great summer to install solar panels," he says. | "It's a great summer to install solar panels," he says. |
"On a day like today, in the full sun, we'll be creating more energy than all these buildings need." | "On a day like today, in the full sun, we'll be creating more energy than all these buildings need." |
But his enthusiasm is not only a result of Britain's soaring temperatures. | But his enthusiasm is not only a result of Britain's soaring temperatures. |
A series of government incentives is making the summer of 2013 a prime time for communities to get together to make renewable energy. | A series of government incentives is making the summer of 2013 a prime time for communities to get together to make renewable energy. |
And energy is the least of it. | And energy is the least of it. |
Schools, churches and sports clubs are not only saving money; they're creating jobs and skills, and alleviating fuel poverty too. | Schools, churches and sports clubs are not only saving money; they're creating jobs and skills, and alleviating fuel poverty too. |
Benefits | Benefits |
On top of a tower block in Brixton, half a dozen young men and women are helping to install an array of solar panels. | On top of a tower block in Brixton, half a dozen young men and women are helping to install an array of solar panels. |
They are all residents on the estate, and they are being paid for the skills they are acquiring. | They are all residents on the estate, and they are being paid for the skills they are acquiring. |
This is the third such project that Mr Otero of Brixton Energy has organised here, and he is passionate about the benefits it brings to the community. | This is the third such project that Mr Otero of Brixton Energy has organised here, and he is passionate about the benefits it brings to the community. |
"It really enables citizens to get involved with the ownership of their energy," he says. | "It really enables citizens to get involved with the ownership of their energy," he says. |
"It is not power to the people, it's power to, for and by the people." | "It is not power to the people, it's power to, for and by the people." |
The energy generated is partly used to power communal areas on the estate, and the savings made are also being passed on to residents. | The energy generated is partly used to power communal areas on the estate, and the savings made are also being passed on to residents. |
Some are given energy audits, and some are given help with energy switching. | Some are given energy audits, and some are given help with energy switching. |
Sharon Callender, a single mother of three, has had draught-proofing installed on her windows. Her energy bills should be cut substantially as a result. | Sharon Callender, a single mother of three, has had draught-proofing installed on her windows. Her energy bills should be cut substantially as a result. |
"I believe it will have a positive impact," says her 18-year-old son, Kamerl. | "I believe it will have a positive impact," says her 18-year-old son, Kamerl. |
"The bills will be reduced, because we won't have to use the heating as often as we usually do." | "The bills will be reduced, because we won't have to use the heating as often as we usually do." |
Schools and churches | Schools and churches |
Brixton Energy makes money by selling its electricity to the grid, and through the Feed-in Tariff (FiT). This is a subsidy paid through energy companies to anyone who generates renewable energy. | Brixton Energy makes money by selling its electricity to the grid, and through the Feed-in Tariff (FiT). This is a subsidy paid through energy companies to anyone who generates renewable energy. |
The rate has been reduced about eight times over the past two years, but since the start of July the government has made some thresholds more generous. | The rate has been reduced about eight times over the past two years, but since the start of July the government has made some thresholds more generous. |
It means that larger community projects, which generate over 10 megawatts, will get a higher FiT subsidy. | It means that larger community projects, which generate over 10 megawatts, will get a higher FiT subsidy. |
The government has also launched a scheme to provide rural renewable projects, be they solar, wind or hydro-electric, with £15m of grants. | The government has also launched a scheme to provide rural renewable projects, be they solar, wind or hydro-electric, with £15m of grants. |
"We want to help consumers, businesses and communities generate more of their own clean, green electricity locally," said Greg Barker, the Minister for Energy and Climate Change. | "We want to help consumers, businesses and communities generate more of their own clean, green electricity locally," said Greg Barker, the Minister for Energy and Climate Change. |
"The expansion of our reformed Feed-in Tariff will encourage even more communities to get on board," he said. | "The expansion of our reformed Feed-in Tariff will encourage even more communities to get on board," he said. |
There are already more than 2,000 community energy projects across the UK, but there is scope for many more. | There are already more than 2,000 community energy projects across the UK, but there is scope for many more. |
"We are already seeing these sorts of schemes popping up on schools, on churches, on sports clubs everywhere," says Andy Deacon, of the Energy Saving Trust. | "We are already seeing these sorts of schemes popping up on schools, on churches, on sports clubs everywhere," says Andy Deacon, of the Energy Saving Trust. |
"And those buildings can be right for these types of renewable schemes." | "And those buildings can be right for these types of renewable schemes." |
Return | Return |
Schemes like the one in Brixton are paid for through private finance. | Schemes like the one in Brixton are paid for through private finance. |
Investors typically live within a mile of the estate and pay £500 each. | Investors typically live within a mile of the estate and pay £500 each. |
Because of a government tax incentive, known as the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme, most of them get half that money back. | Because of a government tax incentive, known as the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme, most of them get half that money back. |
The only requirement is that they keep their money invested for at least three years. | The only requirement is that they keep their money invested for at least three years. |
They also get a 4% return every year, paid for by the scheme's profits. | They also get a 4% return every year, paid for by the scheme's profits. |
While that may sound pretty generous, investors do not get their capital back for 20 years. | While that may sound pretty generous, investors do not get their capital back for 20 years. |
In the meantime the shares might be difficult to sell, as there is no real marketplace in which to do so. | In the meantime the shares might be difficult to sell, as there is no real marketplace in which to do so. |
However, quite a few investors have seen such benefits going to local people, they give up their dividends. | However, quite a few investors have seen such benefits going to local people, they give up their dividends. |
It is little wonder, therefore, that such schemes are not just about powering local communities, they're about empowering them as well. | It is little wonder, therefore, that such schemes are not just about powering local communities, they're about empowering them as well. |