Welcome to our September newsletter
The sun has been shining in Dorset – we have generated 5% more electricity than expected and members’ interest payments have been made this month. We’re also hoping to link up children in our schools, with children at schools in African countries who also have PV – for educational activities about sustainable energy. And get inspired and updated at the Dorset Climate Change conference in Weymouth in October.
Best wishes from DCE directors: Tim, Tom, Henry, Pete, Emily and Derek.
2016-17 solar electricity generation has exceeded estimates
All 16 Dorset Community Energy solar PV installations have now been installed for 12 months or more, so it is possible to view annual total electricity generation data and compare it with initial estimates. The performance to date has been 5% higher than original estimates- which is good news for schools and members.
Interest payments to members in early September
Following acceptance of the Dorset Community Energy Annual Accounts at the AGM held on 12th July and approval of the directors’ recommendation to pay members 5.5% interest, payments to members were completed by 9th September. The directors are optimistic that the target 5%-6% p.a. interest on members’ shares will be maintained in future years, subject to no unforeseen circumstances.
Educational activities – connecting the climate
Dorset Community Energy secretary, Pete West, and Dorset County Council’s Sustainable Schools Project Officer, Alison Jay, met with local educational charity Development Education in Dorset (DEED) in July to develop a sustainable energy and climate change funding application to the Scottish Power Foundation. The project was named ‘Climate Connections’ and is based on sharing information on climate change and sustainable energy solutions between schools in Africa and in Dorset.
International co-operation
Following the Paris Climate Agreement, evidence of rising global CO2 emissions and impacts of climate change, it is widely becoming accepted that ‘we are all in this together’. In February the directors agreed that Dorset Community Energy joins the International Network for Sustainable Energy (INFORSE), an NGO network which was established at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 and currently has 75 member organisations in 35 European countries and 180 member organisations globally.
Dorset Community Energy AGM – July 2017
The AGM was held on 12th July 2017 at the Wessex Royale Hotel in Dorchester. It was chaired by Tom Burnett, as Tim Crabtree was unable to attend due to work commitments. There were 14 members present including directors.
Dorset Climate Change Conference – 21st October Weymouth
A one-off chance to meet with doers, thinkers and leaders – and get equipped and inspired with new ideas and new contacts – plus a good lunch.
Survey: how does the public engage with renewable energy?
We are happy to share Tom’s undergraduate research survey and encourage you to take ten minutes to complete it.
… I am researching how the public engage with renewable energy. Specifically, I am interested in two activities: investing in Community Energy, and purchasing ‘green’ renewable energy tariffs at home…