Community Energy in Action: BEC Spring 2026 Update
In this issue…
- Reuseacell EV Battery Prototype at Rathfinny
- 2026 Generation plus O&M News
- BEC Collaboration with Worthing CREW
- Pipeline Blockage
- BEC’s Hiring
- Launch of BEC’s Free Mentoring Programme
- BEC’s 2026 Energy Education Programme in Sussex
- Intern Research on Solar Panel Recycling Potential
- BEC Speaks at Shoreham ‘Power Station’ Screening
- AGM Date Change
Image: Co-founder Damian Tow with the huge foundation screws & 2 Hyundai Kona batteries ready to be connected
Reuseacell EV Battery Prototype Installing at Rathfinny
This Summer, we’re launching our EV battery pilot project, in partnership with local startup REUSEACELL and Rathfinny Wine Estate in East Sussex. The project uses repurposed EV car batteries and incorporates them into an energy storage system that will optimise BEC’s solar PV output on the estate.
“Instead of becoming waste, these batteries are getting a second life and showing what circular innovation can look like in practice.” – Co-founder Will Cottrell
REUSEACELL has poured months into making this possible, and, together with the BEC team, has pushed hard to bring the idea from concept to reality.
The build is complete, final testing underway and we will connect to our existing solar array at Rathfinny in the coming weeks. We hope that this could be the first step towards rolling out a whole new wave of community‑scale battery reuse projects.
2026 Generation plus O&M News
January to March were noticeably darker than usual, so our generation has been subdued. March generated 365 MWh (compared to 117MWh in February), still less than the 400MWh last March. Our flagship site at Rathfinny Wine Estate is in good order and full-tilt produced 51MWh this March, but the same time last year produced 60MWh – 18% more! April saw the sun return. Generation was “back to normal” at 562MWh, enough to fly an electric plane to France.
We had some technical challenges over the winter. Inverters at Shed 10 in Shoreham Port (200kwp) regularly shut down half of the strings due to high moisture levels. This is a common issue – moisture is an inevitable part of solar operations in the UK. Basically it gets into the wiring and the system won’t fire up until it dries out. While it might seem strange to have moisture in electrical systems, the main ingress point is in the optimisers which oversee operations on pairs of panels. And no-one has yet to find a solution to this problem, so we just have to stomach it.
As ever our head of maintenance, David Owers, keeps his eye fixed on the monitoring when these sorts of problems arise, and oversees our annual maintenance programme (carried out by local solar installer SolarRise) – which is well underway for this year.
Image: BEC’s Calum Millbank, Atlanta Cook & Matt Brown with the Worthing CREW at Sussex Sustainability Showcase
BEC Collaboration with Worthing CREW
February saw the launch of our collaboration with CREW (Climate REsilience Worthing) at the GBEB Sussex Energy’s Sussex Sustainability Showcase. Together we are approaching local schools with our free Renewable Energy workshops and looking for local commercial landlords for our fully-funded (and community-owned) PV systems.
“BEC’s new collaboration raises awareness of the power of community energy to improve Worthing’s resilience to climate change. And it allows local people to benefit from our Community Fund grants and education programme.” – Comms & Community Fund Manager Atlanta Cook
We hope CREW’s local knowledge and connections will help kick start a surge of community energy in the area. We have two current projects in Worthing – Splashpoint Leisure Centre and Greater Brighton MET’s Littlehampton Road campus – and we hope to have many more.
Special thanks to HEMIKO, GBEB Sussex Energy, Transition Town Worthing, Ovesco, Sussex Bay & Naturesave for a great event.
Pipeline Blockage
Two systems we had lined up to install in January were delayed by legal holdups in the leasing process.
Our project development supremo Matt Brown said:
“We’ve been busy putting together a great selection of sites to build, there’s about 1MW waiting on legal approval, but watch this space!”
We can’t say exactly what these systems are as yet, but there are 200 kW at a local school, 400 kW at a local business, plus another smaller systems, again at a local business.
BEC’s Hiring
We’re seeking a Technical Sales Specialist to join our team and expand our partnerships across the South East. This role is perfect for someone passionate about community energy, looking to drive the growth of renewable energy projects. Applicants need to be based in the Sussex region.
You will have excellent communication skills with a consultative approach. Most of our solar prospects require multi-month email and phone conversations, to support and guide the client through our project development process. Read the full job description here. Application deadline: 19/6/26
Launch of BEC’s Free Mentoring Programme
As a new initiative we’re offering free mentoring to local, impact-led organisations to help them with challenges they might be facing. This would take the form of 22.5 hours of our time over up to 12 months.
We offer a listening ear and the combined experience of Brighton Energy’s staff and directors. Initially we are offering this mentoring to organisations in BN postcodes.
If you would like to apply please complete the online form here. We will assess your application and aim to respond within 2 weeks as to whether we might be able to help.
Image: BEC’s Matthew Holmes at Balfour Primary – 2 lucky pupils in each workshop win BEC T-shirts
BEC’s 2026 Solar Education Programme in Sussex
In March, Matthew and Atlanta delivered 10 free BEC energy workshops at Balfour, Carden, and Woodingdean primary schools, followed by sessions with the Year 8 top set at Seahaven Academy in Newhaven. We returned to BACA and Aldrington CE Primary schools in April, and visited a couple of new schools to us; St. Paul’s C of E and St. Bernadette’s Catholic primary schools. We’re currently scheduling additional schools for a further week of workshops in July, plus a day of filming to create a video of our workshop so it can be accessed via our website. We love it when teachers say they have learnt something, but best of all is when they tell us a certain pupil has never been so engaged! Thanks to all the year group teachers and heads involved so far.
We’re still collaborating closely with BHCC’s eco-education officer and West Sussex Brighton & Hove Careers Hub to develop a multi-school, sustainability-focused STEM careers event on Nov 6th at Brighton Town Hall.
This year, we also contributed £5,000 to support the council’s highly successful eco-education programme, Our City, Our World, helping to safeguard it in the face of budget cuts. The prospect of Brighton & Hove without a council-led eco-education programme highlights just how challenging the current economic climate is.
Intern Research Project on Solar Panel Supply Chain
What happens at End of Life is just as important
Kelvin Koroma, an engineering student from Brighton Uni, enjoyed his short internship with BEC earlier in the year. His research focused on solar panel recycling, specifically examining solar recycling facilities, the procedures for initiating recycling, the costs involved, the recycling process, the extent to which materials can be recycled, the destinations of the recycled materials, and various methods of recycling solar panels. Download his detailed report here.
BEC Speaks at Shoreham ‘Power Station’ Screening
Board Member, Gerard Sauer, a highly respected performance engine engineer, represented BEC after the Power Station film screening organised by Transition Town Shoreham (TTS) in April. The Ropetackle Arts Centre was buzzing with talk of people power, positive action on climate change and the important role community energy groups like ours play. Thanks to Leonie Harmsworth from TTS and Pauline Cory from Transition Town Worthing for inviting us to speak. The film tells such a wonderfully positive local action on climate change story – we’re always happy to get involved with local screenings.
BEC AGM Save the Date
We look forward to seeing our Members at our AGM at 6pm Thurs 24th Sept. There has been a date change so get the new date in your diary. Join us for a special presentation on our REUSEACELL pilot project by the expert electronics engineer himself, Chris Bridge, as well as updates on all our local community-owned renewable energy projects.. The meeting will be held in the delightful Flint Room at WRAP Space, 83 Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XE.
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In other news… World Climate RelayThe whole world moving together for the climate 5-12 June 2026 Come together with people in 50+ countries to move for the planet, in any way you choose. Run, walk, cycle, swim, paddle, climb… if it’s human-powered, it counts. And you can participate anywhere, solo or with a team. 100% of all money raised goes to high impact climate non profits. BEC’s Team & Board are walking the Knepp Rewilding Estate Yellow Route (3.4km) to raise £250 for the World Climate Relay. What will you do? Join in here
Thank You!There’s been so much to celebrate so far this year, but what matters most is the incredible support from our Board Members, Members, Bond Holders, Partner Sites, Volunteers, and Supporters. Thank you for everything you do—we truly couldn’t do it without you. We’re stronger than ever because of you. Sunny regards,
If you’d like to know more about joining Brighton Energy Co-op you can find the Why Get Involved In Community Energy page here. You can sign up for our newsletter here. Feel free to share our newsletter with your friends & colleagues!
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