Totnes residents may soon be able to buy cheaper and greener locally generated electricity thanks to an exciting new venture being launched by the Totnes Renewable Energy Society (TRESOC).

The society has received a £25,000 grant to develop up to five new community-owned rooftop solar PV installations in the town, and establish an Energy Local Club (ELC) to buy the electricity generated.

This will effectively create Totnes’ own renewable energy marketplace.

Householders and small businesses using renewable energy from local generators via the Energy Local Club will pay less for it than they are currently paying.

TRESOC is now on the lookout for five large, south-facing roofs - such as a school, a row of terraced houses or an industrial building - and for householders and businesses to join the club and use the green, local, cheaper energy.

Solar panels
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TRESOC will own and operate the solar PV on each of the five sites (approximately 250kW, enough to power to boil 250 kettles at peak output) and will raise the capital to install the panels through a community share-offer, which means all profits from the scheme will return to the local economy.

The occupiers of each site will have a Power Purchase Agreement with TRESOC for the energy used on site, and any excess electricity will be sold into the Energy Local Club within the local substation area.

To take part generators and members of the club must sign up to an Energy Local Tariff, currently provided by Octopus Energy.

The scheme will be supported by Energy Local CIC, which has established several clubs in England and Wales.

Totnes ELC will be the first to allow local small businesses to take part.

Once the club is established it is hoped new generators will be able to join, balanced by new customers, allowing the club to grow.

Sally Murrall-Smith, TRESOC’s operations director said: “The project will be developed in three stages beginning with a feasibility study to determine the technical and financial viability of the project.

“This will be followed by raising capital to pay for the PV installations through a community share-offer and establishing the Totnes Energy Club CIC itself.

“We’re grateful to our partners Energy Local CIC, as well as to Communities for Renewables, Westerly Chartered Accountants and Foot Anstey solicitors, who are all working with us to get the club going.”

solar
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ELCs’ benefit communities by reducing fuel poverty as energy is sold affordably, and give locally owned generators more control over pricing – all of which helps to keep profits within the local economy.

The environment also benefits as customers reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.

Thanks to the grant from Devon County Council’s Covid-19 Economic Recovery and Business Prospectus Funding, TRESOC will be able to train an energy advisor who will also run the ELC.

This will be a paid, part time role with flexible hours which may suit a parent with young children.

Volunteers will also be needed to help set up the club and become members of the Energy Local Totnes board.

Anyone who would like to be involved in the club as an energy advisor, a member, or a board member; or who knows of a suitably large south facing roof, is asked to email [email protected] or phone TRESOC on 01803 867431.