The English city using community energy to drive positive change
Back to Topic
Click to Print
Useful Websites
Glossary Term Selection
From urban hydropower to microgrids and rooftop solar, Bristol Energy Cooperative harnesses green energy and the power of community to target a self-sufficent future.
By Duncan Jeffries
Bristol is no stranger to solar panels. Around 30MW of solar PV has already been installed on rooftops across the city, allowing businesses, schools, community centres and residents to benefit from renewable energy. But according to Bristol’s Centre for Sustainable Energy, that’s a mere 6 per cent of what’s possible.
Working to increase that figure is Bristol Energy Cooperative (BEC). It provides organisations with free solar panels, and supports on a myriad of projects that are expanding the city’s green energy supplies.
Since 2011, BEC has raised £14 million through bond and share offers, and loans. It’s installed over 9MWp (mega watt peak refers to the maximum potential output of power) of solar and battery assets – enough to power more than 3,000 homes – and channelled over £300,000 of community...
Want to see the rest of this article?
Would you like to see the rest of this article and all the other benefits that Issues Online can provide with?
- Useful related articles
- Video and multimedia references
- Statistical information and reference material
- Glossary of terms
- Key Facts and figures
- Related assignments
- Resource material and websites
