A Co-operative Approach To Going Solar – Renewable Energy News

A growing  number of people are starting renewable energy schemes in their communities through co-operatives and other forms of collaboration.    A recent report from Co-operatives UK and...

A growing  number of people are starting renewable energy schemes in their communities through co-operatives and other forms of collaboration.    A recent report from Co-operatives UK and The Co-operative Group states 43 communities are in the process of or already producing renewable

A growing  number of people are starting renewable energy schemes in their communities through co-operatives and other forms of collaboration.   

A recent report from Co-operatives UK and The Co-operative Group states 43 communities are in the process of or already producing renewable energy by investing money to install solar panels, large wind turbines or hydro-electric power in their area. 

£16 million has been invested by over 7,000 people in these schemes, which include a £2 million wind farm and a 98kW solar photovoltaic installation on the roof of a brewery.   

The report says green economy co-operatives are the most rapidly growing part of the UK co-op sector, jumping 24% since 2008.  

In addition to these co-operatives’ efforts seeing clean, renewable energy being supplied to their communities, there is also a financial return to participants through the sale of electricity produced.

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