Published: Tuesday, 5th March 2019
The Chairman of energy regulator Ofgem, Martin Cave, has been in Cannock to find out about an innovative community solar installation scheme that feeds surplus energy into the national grid, so reducing the bills of Council tenants who could otherwise be facing fuel poverty.
He was joined on his fact finding visit by Ofgem’s Executive Director for Consumers and Markets, Mary Stark.
The Solar PV installation is managed by Chase Community Solar, one of the largest community energy projects in the UK managed entirely by volunteers.
Working in partnership with Cannock Chase Council, and Green Energy Networks and Smart Innovations Grid from Tamworth, Chase Community Solar proposes to undertake the Ofgem approved `Sandbox` trial. This involves 36 homes including some of the 313 Council properties with solar PV installations. The aim is to guarantee a 20 per cent unit-price saving for the electricity bought by participating residents when the sun isn’t shining.
These are tenants who might otherwise be dragged into fuel poverty, which is defined as the inability to afford enough heat and power.
Green Energy Networks believes its new market model for the social housing sector has huge scope to be rolled out to other places, as an exemplar within the renewable energy industry.
Chase Community Solar has been working with Energy Systems Catapult in Birmingham and the University of Birmingham to evaluate the scheme. Its current trials involve academics from the university testing the scheme’s ability to make savings as well as the opportunities to reduce carbon emissions.
Cannock Chase Council’s Housing Portfolio Holder, Councillor Alan Pearson said: “The Council has been very supportive of Chase Community Solar since it began just over four years ago. We backed its aim of delivering free solar electricity to council tenants, from the outset.
“Today’s visit by Ofgem, to hear first-hand about this partnership tackling fuel poverty, is a welcome opportunity to help raise the profile of this innovative community scheme.”
Speaking from the home of Margaret Miles on Cemetery Road in Cannock, one of the Council properties taking part in the trial, Martin Cave from Ofgem said: ““I am delighted to be in Cannock to see this ground-breaking local energy scheme in action.
“The scheme, which has been supported by Ofgem’s “Innovation Link” service for innovators, will cut local residents’ energy bills and help balance the grid.
“It could become a model for councils and housing associations to partner with community energy groups and innovative energy companies around the country to provide renewable energy and save residents money.
“It has been fascinating hearing first hand from all the organisations involved - and especially the local residents themselves who will benefit.”
Richard Baines, currently seconded to Energy Systems Catapult from the University of Birmingham and the Chair of Chase Community Solar said:
“Green Energy Networks’ new market model will help achieve the aim of Chase Community Solar to cut the cost and carbon content of electricity.”
Notes to Editors:
- Chase Community Solar working with Cannock Chase Council
The Chase Community Solar is a community benefit society which started on 13 February 2015. It raised over £1 million through a community share offer and loan so that, with the support of Cannock Chase Council, it could enable 314 of the Council’s bungalow properties to be fitted with solar panels.
- Ofgem
Ofgem is the independent energy regulator for Great Britain. Its priority is to make a positive difference for consumers by promoting competition in the energy markets and regulating networks.
- Green Energy Networks
As the UK’s leading industry experts in the connection of renewable energy systems to the grid, Green Energy Networks has enabled the connection of over 260 MW’s of installed generation capacity. It works as a project developer to secure funding to deliver a full `end to end solution` for landowners, businesses and communities.
Photograph:
Pictured outside Margaret Miles’ home on Cemetery Road in Cannock are (l to r): Martin Cave (Chairman of Ofgem), Jim Allen and Graham Bass (Directors of Green Energy Networks and Smart Innovations Grid), Margaret Miles, Susan Whelan (daughter of Margaret Miles) and Councillor Alan Pearson from Cannock Chase Council.