Applications are currently open for grants from the DCE Community Fund!

The closing date for the first round of applications is Wednesday 15 April 2026.

We offer grants of up to £2,000 to charities and community organisations across Dorset and BCP. We are particularly keen to support projects that reduce carbon emissions, address fuel poverty, promote environmental resilience and/or support biodiversity.

How to apply:

The application form is quick and simple. You will be asked to provide:

• A short headline describing what the grant is for
• The amount of funding you are applying for
• A brief statement about the impact you are expecting

To apply, please complete this online form: Community Fund Application Form

Alternatively visit the link below to access the document version.

If you have any questions or would like support with the application process, we would be happy to help.
Please feel free to get in touch at huda@dorsetcommunityenergy.org.uk

DCE is keen to work with community organisations that have buildings in need of retrofit.

We aim to develop a partnership programme of practical workshops, using community buildings as practical “classrooms” where building users, volunteers and local residents can learn about retrofit in a hands-on way. The overall aim is to build local skills, confidence and capacity, placing communities at the heart of Dorset’s transition to low-carbon, affordable and resilient buildings.

If you are involved with a community building and would like to discuss possible joint working please contact huda@dorsetcommunityenergy.org.uk

DCE welcomes Government’s £1bn Local Power Plan

Dorset Community Energy is celebrating the launch of the long-awaited Local Power Plan, which commits £1 billion to support the growth of community-owned renewable energy: according to the government, “the biggest public investment in community energy in this country’s history”.

The aim of the Plan is to enable every community in the UK to have the opportunity and capacity to own a local energy project and directly share in its benefits, marking a significant step toward a community-led just transition.

National Campaign: Up the Energy

Dorset Community Energy is proud to be part of the national Up the Energy campaign, calling for urgent action to unlock the full potential of community energy across the UK.

Led by Community Energy England and supported by a broad coalition of civil society organisations, businesses and public figures, an open letter was delivered to the UK Government on 4 March 2026. It highlights the vital role community energy can play in tackling climate change, reducing fuel poverty and strengthening local economies.

The campaign sets out practical, deliverable measures to accelerate progress — from guaranteed fair export prices and faster grid connections to stronger shared ownership models and ring-fenced support for low-income communities.

Solar Spotlight!

In our Solar Spotlight series, we’re looking back at some of our previous installations and the impact they’ve had – from electricity generated to carbon saved and community benefits delivered.

All Saints School, Weymouth

Over the last year, we estimate that this installation has:

• Generated 17,239 kWh of solar energy
• Saved approximately £6500 in electricity costs*
• Avoided around 3.4 tonnes of CO₂ emissions
• Equivalent to 150 trees absorbing carbon for a year
• Enough to power around 6 average UK homes for a year

*(based on amount of generated solar energy used on site and the school’s estimated import unit rate)

Dorset Community Energy is celebrating the launch of the long-awaited Local Power Plan, which commits £1 billion to support the growth of community-owned renewable energy: according to the government, “the biggest public investment in community energy in this country’s history”.

The aim of the Plan is to enable every community in the UK to have the opportunity and capacity to own a local energy project and directly share in its benefits, marking a significant step toward a community-led just transition.

This will be delivered through a combination of grants, loans, advice, expert help and targeted investment. It also proposes action to tackle regulatory and technical barriers, such as giving communities fair access to energy markets.

The Plan also includes proposals for greater collaboration between local authorities and community energy groups through the new Partnership Fund. Dorset Community Energy looks forward to continuing its collaboration with Dorset Council and BCP Council, and to working with Great British Energy to help deliver the ambitions of the Local Power Plan. 

At its heart, the Plan promises to support shared, local ownership of renewable energy projects, putting communities, rather than large energy companies, at the centre of the clean energy transition.

So what does this mean for communities across Dorset?

Since its founding in 2013, Dorset Community Energy has been delivering community-owned renewable energy infrastructure across the county. Over the last decade the not-for-profit social enterprise has installed 30 solar PV installations across schools, hospitals and community buildings – financed through community share investment. 

These projects have generated over 8000 MWh of clean energy, enough electricity to power 2,400 homes, saving local communities almost £1 million in energy bills and preventing around 2000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions. All  surpluses are channeled back into local projects through a Community Fund.

The Local Power Plan creates real potential to expand the work of Dorset Community Energy – keeping the financial benefits of clean power local, building community wealth, lowering bills, strengthening local energy resilience, tackling fuel poverty and reinvesting back into our neighbourhoods.

The Plan recognises the power of community energy and marks progress in tackling some of the long-standing barriers to community ownership. If the ambition of the Plan is matched by delivery, this could be a great turning point in how energy is generated, owned and shared – creating more resilient and equitable local energy futures.

Dorset Community Energy are inviting suitably qualified contractors to tender for solar PV installations across eight separate sites in Dorset.

The site details and tender proforma are available below and tenders should be returned to the society by 5pm on 9^th Feb 2024 together with any supporting documentation.

Please note that the sites are not owned by DCE and therefore access for site surveys is not available at this stage of the tender process. Contractors are requested to quote based on the details provided in the tender document. Successful contractors will be invited to site visits to confirm final design details at a later date.

Any queries should be directed to geoff@dorsetcommunityenergy.org.uk and responses will be published on this website for the benefit of all contractors.

Click here for Tender Pack

Last year, 2018, was the second sunniest UK year on record according to the Met Office, with 1575 hours of sunshine landing on our solar panels.  We generated 445,876 kWh of electricity, more than 10% above that predicted in our share offer documents.  Dorset Community Energy (DCE) members benefitted from an interest payment of 5.5% in September.

Continue reading “Dorset Community Energy solar generation in 2018” →