Newsletter September 2017

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.

Continue reading “Newsletter September 2017”

DCE newsletter April 2017

First 12 months of solar generation exceeds estimates

All April 2016 solar panel installations have exceeded performance estimates.

With 12 months of data now available we are pleased to report that the school solar PV installations installed during the 2016 Easter holidays have all generated more electricity than predicted.

The installations, at Bridport Primary School, The Blandford School and Milldown Primary School are slightly different, but the 3 schools combined have generated a total of 5,000 kWh more solar electricity than estimated over the last 12 months.

In practice we have found that the larger secondary schools are using more than 95% of the solar electricity on-site and therefore making the greatest overall financial savings. However the peak electricity demand at primary schools is in the range of 30kW–40kW, so it is very interesting to see that on sunny days the primary schools with 50kW solar panel installations are completely solar powered and carbon-neutral in electricity use.

Continue reading “DCE newsletter April 2017”

DCE newsletter July 2016

Progress update: ten community PV installations now completed

Following solar panel installations during the Easter holidays at two schools in Blandford Forum and Bridport Primary School, Dorset Community Energy has now completed 10 solar PV installations.

Bridport Arts Centre and a further 4 schools have agreed to solar PV installations in the August summer holiday, including Budmouth College, which was not on the original project shortlist. Installers have been appointed for all sites except Budmouth College (currently being tendered).

The initial sites financed through the June 2015 share offer have all been successfully registered for the Feed-in Tariff and the first interest payments to members who invested in the June 2015 share offer will be made shortly after the October AGM.

The total solar panel installed capacity is currently on-course for 403 kW by the end of August, very close to the 407 kW target in the November 2015 Share Offer Document. If there is a final budget underspend St Mary’s C of E Primary School in Charminster has expressed interest in a 10kW solar PV installation.

Work is currently on-going finalising roof lease agreements for the remaining sites.

Continue reading “DCE newsletter July 2016”

DCE newsletter August 2015

Six community PV installations have now been completed

Following the completion of community solar panel installations at Martinstown Village Hall in March, Salway Ash Village Hall in April and Osmington Village Hall in May, Dorset Community Energy has now completed the 3 larger PV installations on the roofs of Dorchester Middle School, The Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester and the roof of the Sports Hall at Lytchett Minster School near Wimborne.

The share offer in June was over-subscribed, raising £190,000 of community investment in 4 weeks, resulting in refunds for all share applications over £3,700. Following the share offer, it was important to complete the 3 school solar PV installations during the August holiday when there are no pupils on-site. The installers Chris Rudge Renewables and Dorset Energy Solutions are to be congratulated in completing the installations to a very high standard within the deadline, despite the heavy rain in the latter half of August.

The Dorset Community Energy secretary and directors were also kept busy ensuring the legal side of the solar roof rental agreements were completed and ready for signature at the time of the installations.
The final step is registration of the 3 school solar PV installations for Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) with Good Energy, which will be completed in early September.

Continue reading “DCE newsletter August 2015”