Renewables & Environment - Penryn, England, United Kingdom
The Gawcott Fields community solar farmA new community solar farm has been built at Gawcott Fields Farm, between Buckingham and Gawcott. The 4.17 megawatt solar array is made up of over 16,000 solar panels and is expected to generate over 4 million kWh of renewable electricity each year. That's equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of around 1,000 homes!Construction was completed on schedule by June 29th 2016 and the solar farm is now exporting low carbon electricity to the local grid. The operation of the solar farm is being managed by experienced contractors – Communities for Renewables CIC and Pfalzsolar.Community ownership and benefitsThe solar farm is owned by Gawcott Fields Community Solar Project, a professionally managed community interest company (CIC) that will be run for the benefit of the local community.The solar farm is earning income from the sale of electricity and a Feed-in Tariff. Surplus income generated by the Community Solar Farm (after operating and finance costs) will be used to provide funding for community organisations and projects in the local area. The project will generate around £20,000 per year for the first 15 years rising to £50,000 per year for years 16–20 (after the bank loan has been paid off) – a total of around £2 million over the 30 year life of the project.We are looking to grow the board of Directors and talk to local people and organisations about how the surplus income can best be managed and used to meet local needs. If you would be interested in getting involved in the governance of the CIC or to discuss opportunities for how local community organisations and projects could benefit, please get in touch.
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