In May 2019, DCE raised £445,000 to support the installation of 700kW of roof mounted solar panels on schools and hospitals in Dorset. These installations were supported by a 40% grant from Low Carbon Dorset, making the total value £729,080. The installations were delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, however the final installation was completed in April 2021, bringing DCE’s total portfolio to 1100kWp, across twenty- two locations, including: schools, community buildings and hospitals.
Posts by Emily Bullock
DCE 3rd Share Offer Reopened and Closed!
DCE reopened its 3rd Share Offer on the 10th May, to raise a further £194,418 to install 467kWp of rooftop solar at three more sites. These shares were offered firstly to ‘Over-Subscribers’ from our 2019 Share Offer, and secondly to our existing members. The share offer was open from 10th May until the target was reached – which was 21st May. Thank you to all those who purchased shares. Further information available here
Welcome to our November 2020 Newsletter
Dear DCE newsletter subscribers – a special welcome to new subscribers.
In this issue:
- 3rd Share Offer update – On track to complete all 700kW by March 2021
- Adding ground-mounted PV to Energy Local Bridport
- Asset Manager update
Best wishes from DCE Directors: Derek, Emily, Henry, Pete, Tim, and Tom
3rd Share Offer update – on track to install 700kW by March 2021
Since our last newsletter in May, and despite the Covid-19 complications, we have installed and commissioned further sites: All Saints, at Weymouth in May, Beaminster School in September, and our first Dorset Community Healthcare site, Bridport Community Hospital was commissioned on 29th October.
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Adding ground-mounted PV to Energy Local Bridport
Due to the extent of interest in this project, projected customer demand exceeds the current renewable energy supply of the 50kW wind turbine at Salway Ash. DCE therefore secured funding from the Rural Community Energy Fund for a feasibility study to identify sites for two 200kW ground-mounted solar PV arrays to provide additional local renewable electricity. Two sites have already been identified and work is underway to determine the exact build costs and likelihood of planning permission. We also have a third site earmarked as back-up.
Asset Manager
A big thank you to Pete West who to date has been acting as Asset Manager for our installations, and is now stepping down from this role. We have received four applications for the recently advertised post and will be looking to select shortly.
3rd Share Offer update – on track to install 700kW by March 2021
Since our last newsletter in May, and despite the Covid-19 complications, we have installed and commissioned further sites: All Saints, at Weymouth in May, Beaminster School in September, and our first Dorset Community Healthcare site, Bridport Community Hospital was commissioned on 29th October.
We are especially pleased to have been able to progress installations with Dorset Healthcare despite the pandemic, many thanks to all those at Dorset Healthcare who enabled this.
In summary, we have completed and commissioned 455kW at five sites, have a further 188kW as works in progress at three sites, and are following up further potential sites to deliver the final 57kW.
Complete (455kW) | ||
All Saints School, Weymouth | 61kW | May 2020 |
Beaminster School | 112kW | August 2020 |
Bridport Community Hospital | 99kW | October 2020 |
The Blandford School | 85kW | February 2020 |
Wey Valley School, Weymouth | 97kW | February 2020 |
In progress (188kW) | ||
Alderney Hospital | 97kW | Expected November 2020 |
Blandford Community Hospital | 50kW | Expected November 2020 |
Sturrminster Newton High School | 41kW | TBC |
Adding ground-mounted PV to Energy Local Bridport
Due to the extent of interest in this project, projected customer demand exceeds the current renewable energy supply of the 50kW wind turbine at Salway Ash. DCE therefore secured funding from the Rural Community Energy Fund for a feasibility study to identify sites for two 200kW ground- mounted PV arrays to provide additional local renewable electricity. Two sites have already been identified and work is underway to determine the exact build costs and likelihood of planning permission. We also have a third site earmarked as back-up.
Unfortunately due to the pandemic, there has been a delay in households having smart meters fitted, and in Octopus Energy developing and piloting the bespoke metering and billing system. This has meant that the club set up to trade the electricity from the existing turbine has not yet started operating. Energy Local Bridport are continuing to work closely with Octopus Energy to ensure progress on the project, and we expect operation to begin in the next few months. .
Asset Manager
A big thank you to Pete West who to date has been acting as Asset Manager for our installations, and is now stepping down from this role. We have received four applications for the recently advertised post and will be looking to select shortly.
DCE is recruiting an Asset Manager – apply by 6th November.
We are looking for someone to look after our solar installations, please read below if it it could be you and forward to any interested contacts.
Dorset Community Energy intends to recruit a part-time Asset Manager on a self-employed contract basis, whose responsibilities will entail monitoring performance of up to 25 solar photovoltaic installations on schools, community buildings and hospitals in Dorset.
Remuneration is £22.05 per hour.
Full Job Description / Person Specification and how to apply here. Closing date 6th November.
Best wishes from DCE Directors:
Tim, Derek, Henry, Emily, Tom, Pete
DCE is recruiting an Asset Manager – apply by 6th November.
Dorset Community Energy intends to recruit a part-time Asset Manager on a self-employed contract basis, whose responsibilities will entail monitoring performance of up to 25 solar photovoltaic installations on schools, community buildings and hospitals in Dorset.
Remuneration is £22.05 per hour.
Full Job Description / Person Specification and how to apply here. Closing date 6th November.
Dorset Community Energy 2020 AGM
Around 30 members joined our Virtual AGM which also featured presentations from Directors on: new installations under our third share offer; Energy Local Bridport and our Communications. The minutes of the meeting and the presentations can be viewed on our Members page.
Solar panels installed on Beaminster School
DCE have succesfully commissioned a further 112kw of solar PV during the school’s summer holidays. The installation was completed by our contrators: Solar Voltaics, and covers five different parts of the school’s roof. The school will use most of the power on site, with excess energy at weekend’s and during school holidays exported to the grid.